The candidate physical ability test also known as the CPAT, is a test that
evaluates a candidate's physical ability in firefighter specific events. The test
consists of eight separate events: stair climb, hose drag, the equipment carry,
ladder raise and extension, forcible entry, search, rescue, and ceiling breach and
pull. The CPAT is a pass/fail exam that must be completed in ten minutes and
twenty seconds or less. If a candidate fails to complete the test in ten
minutes and twenty seconds or less or fails to complete any event throughout
the test he or she will then fail the test. The CPAT dress code requires a
candidate to wear long pants, wear a shirt, no open-toed shoes,
no obstructive jewelry like watches can be worn. The candidate will be provided
with a proctor, 50-pound vest simulating firefighters PPE and SCBA, a hardhat,
gloves, and an extra 25 pound of shoulder blocks simulating high-rise packs. The
Proctor has three jobs following the candidate giving specific instructions
throughout the course, looking for any health or safety issues, and keeping a
running clock timing the entire test until completion. Event 1: the stair climb.
This event is designed to simulate the task of climbing multiple flights of
stairs with full PPE, SCBA, and high-rise packs. The candidate will be required to
wear 50-pound vests and additional 25 pound shoulder blocks while walking for
3 minutes and 20 seconds. The first 20 seconds of the event is considered a
warm-up allowing the candidate to become familiar with the equipment. The twenty
second warm-up phase and the official three minute testing phase will be
completed simultaneously with no breaks. During the warm-up phase the stair
climber will be set at a rate of 50 steps per minute.
The candidate will be allowed to utilize the railing for assistance. If at any
point during the warmup a candidate dismounts the stair climb
he or she must then regain themselves then proceed back on the stair climber
and repeat the 22nd warmup period. The candidate will be allowed to restart the
warmup period for a max of two attempts. Once the warm-up phase is completed the
stair climber step rate will be increased from fifty to sixty steps per
minute in which the candidate must complete the remaining three minutes.
Once the remaining three minutes comes close to an end, the proctor will warn
the candidate letting them know that they are almost done.
Once completed, the candidate can then safely step down off the stair climber.
At this point, a proctor will then remove the extra 25 pound shoulder blocks from
the candidate allowing them to proceed on to the next event. The candidate will
then walk 85 feet to the next event. Once the warm-up phase is over the
candidate will not be allowed to grab the stair climber railing. If the candidate
grabs the stair climber railing he or she will be given a warning. If the
candidate falls, dismounts the stair climber, or grabs a railing for a second
offense, he or she will then fail the test.
Event Two: the hose drag. This event is designed to simulate a firefighter
pulling an uncharged hose line off of an apparatus and pulling it to an object or
occupancy under fire. The candidate will grab control of the hose line nozzle, pull
two hundred feet of inch and three-quarter hose 75 feet around a pre
placed drummer barrel continuing to a designated box. If the candidate fails to
run around the designated barrel or drum, or runs out of the designated path he or
she will then fail the test. Once the candidate rounds the designated drummer
barrel with the hose line he or she must then proceed to the designated box where
they will then take a knee. The candidate must then remain on that knee and pull
in 50 feet of the inch and three-quarter hose line to the designated mark on the
hose line crosses the finish line. Once the mark on the hose line crosses the
finish line, the candidate will then proceed to walk 85 feet to the next
event. The candidate must remain on one knee
at all times. If the candidate does not remain on one knee, he or she will be
given a warning. If the candidate proceeds to not remain on one knee or
steps out of the designated area, he or she will then fail the test. Event 3: the
equipment carry. This event is designed to simulate a firefighter removing power
tools from a fire apparatus and carrying them to a fire or hazardous scene. The
candidate must remove the power tools from the designated cabinet and place
them on the ground one at a time. Then the candidate will simultaneously pick
up both power tools and proceeded to walk 75 feet around a designated drum or
barrel. The candidate must then walk 75 feet back to the starting-point, place
both power tools on the ground, then return them to the designated cabinet
one at a time. Once the candidate returns the power tools he or she must then
proceed to walk 85 feet to the next event. If at any point the candidate
drops the tools he or she will then fail the test. Event 4: the ladder raise and
extension. This event is designed to simulate a firefighter handling and
placing ground ladders on a fire or hazardous scene. The candidate must first grab
the top rung of the 24 foot extension ladder and raise it by placing their
hand on each rung until the ladder is flush to the wall. If the candidate
fails to use every rung to raise the ladder he or she will then be given a
warning. If the candidate continued to skip rungs raising the ladder or loses
control and drops the ladder, he or she will then fail the test. Once the ladder
raised phase of the event is completed the candidate will then go to the other
24 foot extension ladder, grab the rope halyard, and use a hand over hand to
raise the fly section of the ladder until the stops are engaged at the top.
The candidate must then use the rope halyard in a controlled manner to lower
the five section back to its original state.
Once the ladder is returned to its original state, the candidate will then
proceed to walk 85 feet to the next event. In the latter extension phase, the
candidate must remain in the mark boundaries. If a candidate steps out of
the mark batteries he or she will then be given a warning. If the candidate
steps out of the mark boundaries for a second offense he or she will then fail
the test. The candidate must have control of the
rope halyard at all times. If at any point the candidate loses control of the
rope halyard and the fly section falls, he or she will then fail the test.
Event 5: forcible entry. This event is designed to simulate a
firefighter using a sledge hammer to force entry into or out of a structure
or object. Utilizing a 10 pound sledge hammer, the candidate must strike the
force entry pop until the buzzer is activated. Once the buzzer is activated,
the candidate will then safely place the sledgehammer on the ground, then proceed
to walk 85 feet to the next event. The candidate must remain in the
designated area at all times. If the candidate steps out of the designated
area, he or she will then be given a warning. If the candidate proceeds to
step out of the designated area, he or she will then fail the test.
Event 6: search. This event is designed to simulate a firefighter searching for a
fire victim in unknown outcomes with no vision. The candidate must navigate 64
feet through a dark tunnel maze with varying obstacles. Once the candidate
completes the search, he or she will then proceed to walk 85 feet to the next
event. This event will be highly monitored. If at any point the candidate
feels they cannot continue, they can call out or hit the prop walls and ask for
assistance. If at any point the hatch doors are to be open or the candidate is
to be assisted out he or she will then fail the test.
Event 7: rescue. This event is designed to simulate a firefighter pulling an
injured victim or fellow firefighter out of a fire or hazardous situation. The
candidate must pull a 165 pound mannequin 35 feet around a
pre-positioned drum. Then make a complete 180-degree turn then return 35 feet back
to the starting point. To complete the event, the mannequins feet must pass the
finish line. The candidate will be allowed to pull the mannequin with one
hand or two hands and will be able to stop and readjust their grip if needed.
During this event the mannequin may come in contact with the drum or barrel. The
candidate may not touch the drummer barrel. If the candidate touches the
drummer barrel he or she will be given a warning. If the candidate proceeds to
touch the drum a barrel he or she will then fail the test. Event 8: ceiling
breach and pull. This event is designed to simulate a firefighter utilizing a
pike pole to breach a ceiling to check for fire overhead and fire extension.
During the breech face of this event the candidate must place the sharp end of
the pipe pole into the painted area of the door prop, fully extend the prop up
to its max capacity, then allow the door to fully close. This equals 1 rep.
The candidate must do three full reps and then proceed on to the pull phase of
the event. During the pull phase of this event, the candidate must utilize the
hook end of the pike pole, hook the overhead lever, and then pull
the lever down to its max capacity. The candidate must then allow the lever to
go back to its original state. This equals one rep. The candidate must do
five full reps and then proceed back to the breech phase of this event. Three
pushes and five pulls equals one full set. The candidate must complete four
full sets to complete the event. If at any point the candidate does not
complete a full rep, the proctor will warn them and have them redo and
complete that rep. The candidate will be allowed at any point to stop
and readjust their grip. If the candidate at any time drops the pike pole he or
she must immediately pick the pike pole back up and resume the event. If the
candidate proceeds to drop the pike pole for a second offense he or she will then
fail the test. If the candidate steps out of the designated area at any time he or
she will then be given a warning. If the candidate proceeds to step out of the
designated area he or she will then fail the test