In developing the physical agility test, the Morrisville Fire/Rescue Department has done its best to produce a fair assessment of physical abilities for applicants, as well as current employees. The goal of this test is to ensure all firefighters and firefighter applicants possess the physical abilities necessary to perform critical job-related tasks in a safe and effective manner.

Equipment and Attire During Physical Agility Test

Individuals are required to wear the following attire and equipment during the physical assessment:

• Long pants
• Footwear with no open heel or toe
• Athletic shirt (t-shirts okay, no tank tops or cut-offs)
• 50-pound approved weight vest (provided at test site), to simulate the weight of self-contained breathing apparatus and firefighter protective clothing
• An additional 12.5 pounds weight added to each shoulder, for a total of 25 pounds, during stair climb (provided at test site), to simulate the weight of a high-rise pack
• Utility or extrication gloves (provided at test site)
• Hard hat (provided at test site)

Description of Physical Agility Test

This physical agility test is designed to simulate the critical tasks of a firefighter. For an event-by-event description, follow the 'quick links' box in the upper-right portion of this page.  Approximately 85 feet has been designated between each event to allow for a mini recovery period prior to the next event. The 85 feet is marked on the pavement with arrows and you will also be guided by the proctor to ensure each participant stays on course. However, each of the eight events will be done consecutively without stopping and is designed to challenge aerobic capacity and muscular endurance. This is a timed assessment and will begin when starting the Stair Climb, and end following the last repetition of the Ceiling Breach and Pull. To ensure the highest level of safety, no running is allowed between events. However, participants may choose to run only during the hose drag event.

All of the listed equipment above must be worn during the assessment. In addition, each individual must complete the test within the prescribed period of 10 minutes and 20 seconds. If an individual has not completed all of the events in their entirety within the prescribed time period, the proctor will stop the individual and the assessment will be concluded. This constitutes a failure and the individual will be disqualified.

After all eight events have been completed in succession, the timer stops and the test is concluded. Your proctor will assist in removing the 50-pound weight vest, helmet, and gloves. Remember there are other individuals testing, so each participant will be advised where an appropriate rest and rehab area has been designated.

1 - Stair Climb

Equipment

This event uses a StepMill stair-climbing machine. Handrails are available to grasp while mounting and dismounting the StepMill. Additional steps are placed at the base of the StepMill to assist in mounting the StepMill.

Purpose of Evaluation

This event is designed to simulate the critical tasks of climbing stairs in full protective clothing while carrying a high-rise pack (hose bundle) with firefighter equipment. This event challenges aerobic capacity, lower body muscular endurance, and ability to balance.

Event

For this event, in addition to the 50-pound weight vest, each participant must also wear two 12.5-pound weights on their shoulders. Prior to the initiation of the timed physical fitness test, there is a 20-second warm-up on the StepMill at a stepping rate of 50 steps per minute. During this warm-up period, participants are permitted to dismount, grasp the rail, or hold the wall to establish balance and cadence.

If a participant falls or dismounts during the 20-second warm-up period, they must remount the StepMill and restart the entire 20-second warm-up period. Participants are allowed to restart the warm-up period twice. The timing of the actual test begins at the end of this warm-up period when the proctor calls the word ‘start.’ There is no break in time between the warm-up period and the actual timing of the test.

For the test, participants must walk on the StepMill at a set stepping rate of 60 steps per minute for 3 minutes. At the end of the three minutes, the first event is concluded and the two 12.5-pound shoulder weights will be removed.

Failures

If individuals fall off or dismount the StepMill three times during the warm-up period, the test is concluded will be considered test failure. If individuals fall or dismount the StepMill after the actual timed physical fitness test begins, the test is concluded will be considered test failure. During the test, participants are permitted to touch the handrail for balance only. No weight may be placed on the handrail.

2- Hose Drag

Equipment

This event uses an uncharged fire hose with a hoseline nozzle. The hoseline is marked at eight feet past the coupling to indicate a maximum amount of hose permitted to drape across one’s shoulder or chest. The hoseline is also marked at 50 feet past the coupling at the nozzle to indicate the amount of hoseline to pull into a marked boundary box before completing the test.

Purpose of Evaluation

This event is designed to stimulate the critical tasks of dragging an uncharged hoseline from the fire apparatus to the fire occupancy and pulling an uncharged hoseline around obstacles while remaining stationary. This challenges aerobic capacity, lower body muscular strength and endurance, upper back muscular strength and endurance, grip strength and endurance, and anaerobic endurance.

Event

For this event, individuals must grasp a hoseline nozzle attached to 200 feet of 1-3/4 inch hose. Hoseline may be placed over the shoulder or across the chest, not to exceed the eight foot mark.

Drag the hose 50 feet to a pre-positioned drum, make a 90 degree turn around the drum, and continue an additional 50 feet. The participant is permitted to run during the hose drag. Stop within the marked four foot by seven foot box, drop to at least one knee, and pull the hoseline until the hoseline's 50 foot mark crosses the finish line. During the hose pull, at least one knee must remain in contact with the ground and knees must remain within the marked boundary lines. This concludes the event.

Failures

During the hose drag, failing to go around the drum or traveling outside the marked path (cones) constitutes test failure and time is concluded. During the hose pull, individuals will be warned once if at least one knee is not kept in contact with the ground. The second infraction constitutes a test failure and test time will be concluded. During the hose pull, individuals will be warned once if their knees go outside the marked boundary line. The second infraction constitutes a test failure and test time will be concluded.

3 - Equipment Carry

Equipment

This event uses two saws and a tool cabinet, replicating a storage cabinet on a fire truck.

Purpose of Evaluation

This event is designed to simulate the critical tasks of removing power tools from a fire apparatus, carrying them to the emergency scene, and returning the equipment to the fire apparatus. This event challenges your aerobic capacity, upper body muscular strength and endurance, lower body muscular endurance, grip endurance, and balance.

Event

For this event, participants must remove the two saws from the tool cabinet, one at a time, and place them on the ground. Pick up both saws, one in each hand, and carry them while walking 35 feet around the pre-positioned cone, then back to the starting point. Upon return to the tool cabinet, place both saws on the ground, then pick up each saw one at a time, and replace the saw in the designated space in the cabinet. This concludes the event.

Failures

If individuals do not maintain control of either saw at any time, or run with the saws, this constitutes test failure and test time is concluded.

4 - Ladder Raise and Extension

Equipment

This event uses two 24-foot Fire Department ladders. For safety reasons, a retractable lanyard is attached to the ladder used for raising.

Purpose of Evaluation

This event is designed to simulate the critical tasks of placing a ground ladder at a structure fire and extending the ladder to the roof or window. This event challenges aerobic capacity, upper body muscular strength, balance, grip strength, and anaerobic endurance.

Event

Walk to the top rung of the 24-foot aluminum extension ladder, lift the unhinged end from the round, and walk it up until it is stationary against the wall (aka raise the ladder). This must be done in a hand-over-hand fashion, using each rung until the ladder is stationary against the wall. Participants may not use the ladder rails to raise the ladder and each rung must be grasped. When it reaches the stationary position, the proctor will advise when it is safe to let go of the ladder. A safety lanyard has been installed on the ladder to prevent it from falling to the ground.

Once cleared by the proctor, immediately proceed to the pre-positioned and secured 24-foot aluminum extension ladder. Stand with both feet inside the marked box of 36 inches by 36 inches and extend the ladder fully. Participants must then retract the fly section hand-over-hand in a controlled fashion back to the starting position.

Failures

If individuals miss any rung during the raise, one warning will be given. A second infraction involving a missed rung will constitute a test failure and the test time will be concluded. If at any time participants let go of the ladder or the safety lanyard is activated because they released their grip on the ladder, the test time is concluded and is considered test failure. If during the ladder extension portion of the test, participant’s feet do not remain within the marked boundary lines, one warning will be given. A second infraction involving the boundary lines constitutes test failure and test time will be concluded. If one does not remain in control of the ladder in a hand-over-hand manner or allows the rope lanyard to slip in an uncontrolled manner, test time will be concluded and is considered test failure.

5 - Forcible Entry

Equipment

This event uses a mechanized device that measures a cumulative force, a toe box, and a 10-pound sledgehammer.

Purpose of Evaluation

This event is designed to simulate the critical tasks of using force to open a locked door or to breach a wall. This event challenges aerobic capacity, upper body muscular strength and endurance, lower body muscular strength and endurance, lower body muscular strength and endurance, balance, grip strength and endurance, and anaerobic endurance.

Event

For this event, participants must use a 10-pound sledgehammer to strike the measuring device in the target area until the buzzer signal is activated. During this event, participants’ feet must remain outside the toe box. After the buzzer is activated, place the sledgehammer on the ground. This concludes the event.

Failures

If sledgehammer control is not maintained or is released from both hands while swinging, this constitutes test failure and test time will be concluded. If an individual steps inside the toe box, one warning will be given. If a second infraction is committed for stepping inside the toe box, this constitutes test failure and test time is concluded.

6 - Search

Equipment

This event uses a search maze designed to simulate the critical task of searching for a fire victim with limited visibility in an unpredictable area.

Purpose of Evaluation

This event is designed to simulate the critical task of searching for a fire victim with limited visibility in an unpredictable area. This event challenges an individual’s aerobic capacity, upper body muscular strength and endurance, agility, balance, anaerobic endurance, and kinesthetic awareness.

Event

During this event, the participant crawls on hands and knees through a tunnel maze that is approximately 3 feet high, 4 feet wide and 64 feet in length with two 90 degree turns. At a number of locations in the tunnel, the individual navigates around, over, and under obstacles. In addition, at two locations, the participant crawls through a narrowed space where the dimensions of the tunnel are reduced. The movement is monitored/listened to as the individual advances through the maze. If for any reason the participant chooses to end the event by calling out or rapping sharply on the wall or ceiling, the individual will be assisted out. An individual can return into the tunnel if they exit through the entrance. Upon exit from the maze at the ending, the event is concluded.

Failures

If the participant requests assistance from the proctor requiring the opening of an escape hatch or entrance/exit covers, it constitutes a test failure and test time is concluded.

7 - Rescue

Equipment

This event uses a weighted mannequin equipped with a harness and shoulder handles.

Purpose of Evaluation

This event is designed to simulate the critical task of removing a victim or injured partner from a fire scene. This event challenges aerobic capacity, upper and lower body muscular strength and endurance, grip strength and endurance, and anaerobic endurance.

Event

For this event, participants must grasp a 165-pound mannequin by the handle(s) on the shoulder(s) of the harness (either one or both handles are permitted), drag it 35 feet to a pre-positioned drum, make a 180-degree turn around the drum, and continue an additional 35 feet to the finish line. Individuals are not permitted to grasp or rest on the drum. One may drop and release the mannequin to adjust their grip. The entire mannequin must be dragged until it crosses the marked finish line. This concludes the event.

Failures

If participants grasp or rest on the drum at any time, one warning is given. The second infraction constitutes test failure and the test time is concluded.

8 - Ceiling Breach and Pull

Equipment

This event uses a mechanized device that measures overhead push and pull forces and a pike pole. The pike pole is a commonly used piece of equipment that consists of a six-foot long pole with a hook and point attached to one end.

Purpose of Evaluation

This event is designed to simulate the critical task of breaching and pulling down a ceiling to check for fire extension. This event challenges aerobic capacity, upper and lower body strength and endurance, grip strength and endurance, and anaerobic endurance.

Event

For this event, remove the pike pole from the bracket, stand within the boundary established by the equipment frame, and place the tip of the pole on the painted area of the hinged door in the ceiling. Fully push up the 60-pound hinged door in the ceiling with the pike pole three times. Then, hook the pike pole to the 80-pound ceiling device and pull the pole down five times. Each set consists of three pushes and five pulls.

Repeat the set four times. Individuals are permitted to stop and, if needed, adjust your grip. Releasing your grip or allowing the pike pole handle to slip without the pike pole falling to the ground does not constitute a failure. Participants are permitted to re-establish your grip and resume the event. If a repetition is not successfully completed, the proctor will call out ‘miss’ and individuals must push or pull the apparatus again to complete the repetition. The event and the total test time ends when the applicant completes the final pull stroke repetition as indicated by the proctor who calls out ‘time’.

Failures

One warning will be given if the pike pole is dropped to the ground. If the pike pole is dropped, pick it up without proctor assistance and resume the event. The second infraction constitutes a test failure, the test time is concluded. If participants’ feet do not remain within the marked boundary lines, one warning will be given. The second infraction constitutes a test failure, the test time is concluded.