Physical Abilities Test – What to Expect (Hampton)

The timed portion of the Physical Abilities Test (PAT) is a continuously-timed test comprised of 6 tasks representing physical demands that are directly drawn from the data and the associated information noted above. Please recall the tasks selected for the test are intended to represent a broad range of the physical dimensions of work required by the job of firefighter. However, the tasks themselves, though often similar to the actual work on the fire-ground, are not intended to precisely replicate specific fire-ground tasks or tactical requirements. They are intended to reflect the physical demands of fire suppression work as much as is reasonable, safe, and practical. In other words, the tasks selected are intended to assess the physical (functional) capabilities of firefighters and firefighter candidates relative to the performance demands of the physical requirements associated with the business necessity of fire suppression work in Hampton, VA. All PAT testing will be completed in full turn-outs and a weighted self-contained breathing apparatus. The applicant must complete all 6 tasks in less than 5 minutes and 17 seconds. The 6 tasks for the HFR PAT are as follows.

Task 1

From the start line, on the word "go" subject picks up a 20-foot, 53-pound aluminum straight ladder from its position on the ground. Holding the ladder in a manner that prevents it from touching the ground at any time, subject walks with the ladder approximately 50 feet toward the training tower. Upon reaching the tower, subject hangs the ladder on brackets secured to the external stairway railing (the midpoint of the ladder's width will be at roughly 62 inches above the ground). Once the ladder is secure, subject turns to the right and walks roughly 50 feet to the hose drag task.

Task 2

Subject approaches the hose at the nozzle end upon reaching the nozzle. Subject drops to all fours, grabs the charged 1.75-inch line, and advances it crawling forward 25 feet. At that point the subject stands and continues advancing the line forward another 50 feet (for a total drag of 75 feet). When the nozzle crosses the finish line, subject drops the hose and walks to the forcible entry task, the Keiser Force Machine.

Task 3

Upon reaching the Keiser Force Machine, subject mounts the device, picks up the shot mallet and hammers the metal ingot until it has moved 5 feet. Once the ingot has moved 5 feet (timer will yell "done"), subject drops the shot mallet, dismounts the machine, and walks to the stair climb task.

Task 4

At the bottom of the internal tower stairway, subject picks up a 67-pound high rise pack using the standard department pack and carry bag. The subject may either use the shoulder strap or carry the pack under the arm. Subject climbs to the 4th floor of the tower (the climb is 3 stories; 1st floor is at ground level). Upon reaching the 4th floor landing, subject drops the pack and descends the stairs to the ground. Subject exits the tower and walks to the confined space / barrier surmount / search crawl task.

Task 5

At the crawl task start line, subject drops to all fours such that his/her hands are on the start line and crawls forward through the out and back L-shaped course. Subject crawls approximately 10 feet to a barrier and proceeds under the barrier, continues crawling forward to a traffic cone, and makes a 90° turn around the cone. Subject then crawls an additional 12 feet to a 2nd cone and executes a 180° turn around that cone to crawl back the way he/she came. On approaching the barrier the 2nd time, subject climbs over the barrier, returns to all fours on the other side, and crawls to the task finish line for a total distance of 60 feet. When the subject's hands cross the finish line, subject stands and walks to the victim rescue task.

Task 6

Subject approaches the roughly 170-pound rescue mannequin from the head end and, using a double underarm hook method, lifts the mannequin's body off the ground (only the mannequin's heels may remain on the ground, depending on the subject's height). Once the mannequin is lifted, subject walks backward, carrying the mannequin 50 feet to finish line. The test ends when the mannequin's feet cross the finish line.