4 year college program

Transcription

1 4 year college program

2 2 year college programs

3 Requirements for forest firefighter: HS Diploma, 32 hours of training, cost of $450, hired at 18 (Colorado Firecamp regular training in Salida, CO) Fitness test (WCT) 3 mile hike, 45 lb. pack, 45 minutes or less Make ~$40,000 in 6 months Downside: no fire no $$$ Nothing is guaranteed. These are frequently seasonal positions Wildland Firefighter Pack Test The firefighter pack test, formally known as the work capacity test, is a physical fitness test for wildland firefighters. The pack test is intentionally stressful as it tests the capacity of muscular strength and aerobic endurance of the firefighter. There are three levels of tests known as arduous, moderate, and light. All federal and most state and private agencies use the pack test. All wildland firefighters must meet minimum levels of fitness requirements for the type of duties they are assigned: Arduous: involves field work calling for above-average endurance and superior conditioning. All firefighters are required to perform arduous duty. Firefighters, strike team leaders, line scouts, and others assigned arduous duty must be prepared to work in steep terrain; and in extreme temperatures, altitude, and smokewhile maintaining reserve work capacity to meet unforeseen emergencies. Moderate: involves field work requiring complete control of physical faculties and may include considerable walking, standing and lifting lbs. Safety officers and fire behavior analysts are examples of moderate duty positions. Light: involves mainly office-type work with occasional field activity. Examples include: staging area and helibase managers. Fitness Requirement Arduous / Pack Test / 3-mile hike with 45-pound pack in 45 minutes Moderate / Field Test / 2-mile hike with 25-pound pack in 30 min Light / Walk Test / 1-mile hike in 16 min

4 Taking the Test Testing will be monitored and any problems should be brought to the attention of the test monitors. No jogging or running is permitted. The test is Pass/Fail only. Choose your own pack or a standard firefighter backpack pump will be provided. Packs will be weighed before and after testing. Pre-test training Before firefighters can begin training for the test, they must fill out a Health Screening Questionnaire (HSQ). This must be done prior to conditioning for, or taking, any level of the Work Capacity Tests (WCT). The HSQ is reviewed to determine whether a person is cleared to start conditioning. This is very important because heart attacks due to stressful physical activity are a leading cause of firefighter death on the fireline. Once cleared, firefighters need to train a minimum of 4 weeks before the test with the required boots and gear. It is recommended that firefighters train for the arduous test by building up their aerobic fitness. Begin by hiking 3 miles with no pack, then by jog on a flat course without a pack. Finally, add the pack and hike hills to build leg strength. Firefighters should increase weight slowly until they can hike 3 miles in 45 minutes while carrying 45 pounds. Before beginning training or substantially increasing activity level, firefighters should consult their physicians. This is especially important for those over 40 and who have been inactive, have a history of a heart condition or chest pain or loss of balance, or have a joint or bone problem that could be made worse by a change in physical activity. FIREFIGHTER FITNESS TEST Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) This candidate physical ability test (CPAT) consists of eight separate events. The CPAT is a sequence of events requiring you to progress along a predetermined path from event to event in a continuous manner. This test was developed to allow fire departments to obtain pools of trainable candidates who are physically able to perform essential job tasks at fire scenes. The price for the CPAT is $ and includes two (2) optional CPAT Orientation sessions. CPAT Orientation sessions last approximately 30 minutes. CPAT Practice Tests are $39.00 per session and include an actual timed run of the CPAT. If the department you are testing for provides vouchers, they will cover varying amounts of these costs. You will be asked for your voucher information at the checkout screen. Each certified department decides what CPAT results they will accept. IF YOU HAVE COMPLETED A CPAT AT A TESTING CENTER OTHER THAN NTN, you must contact the departments on your list to confirm that they will accept your CPAT results. This is a pass/fail test based on a validated maximum total time of 10 minutes and 20 seconds.

5 In these events, you wear a 50-pound (22.68-kg) vest to simulate the weight of self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and firefighter protective clothing. An additional 25 pounds (11.34 kg), using two 12.5-pound (5.67-kg) weights that simulate a high-rise pack (hose bundle), is added to your shoulders for the stair-climb event. Throughout all events, you must wear long pants, a hard hat with chin strap, work gloves, and footwear with no open heel or toe. Watches and loose or restrictive jewelry are not permitted. All props were designed to obtain the necessary information regarding your physical ability. The tools and equipment were chosen to provide the highest level of consistency, safety, and validity in measuring your physical abilities. A schematic drawing of the CPAT is included in this orientation material; however, the course layout may vary in order to conform to the fire department's test area. The events and distances between events are always the same. The events are placed in a sequence that best simulates fire scene events while allowing an 85- foot (25.91-m) walk between events. To ensure the highest level of safety and to prevent exhaustion, no running is allowed between events. This walk allows you approximately 20 seconds to recover and regroup before each event. To ensure scoring accuracy by eliminating timer failure, two stopwatches are used to time the CPAT. One stopwatch is designated as the official test time stopwatch, the second is the backup stopwatch. If mechanical failure occurs, the time on the backup stopwatch is used. The stopwatches are set to the pass/fail time and count down from 10 minutes and 20 seconds. If time elapses prior to the completion of the test, the test is concluded and you fail the test. Event 1: Stair Climb This event uses a StepMill stair-climbing machine. The machine is positioned with one side up against a wall and an elevated proctor platform on the side opposite the wall. A single handrail on the wall side is available for you to grasp while mounting and dismounting the StepMill. Additional steps are placed at the base of the StepMill to assist you in mounting the StepMill. This event is designed to simulate the critical tasks of climbing stairs in full protective clothing while carrying a high-rise pack (hose bundle) and climbing stairs in full protective clothing carrying firefighter equipment. This event challenges your aerobic capacity, lower body muscular endurance, and ability to balance. This event affects your aerobic energy system as well as the following muscle groups: quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, calves, and lower back stabilizers.

6 Event For this event, you must wear two 12.5-pound (5.67-kg) weights on your shoulders to simulate the weight of a high-rise pack. Prior to the initiation of the timed CPAT, there is a 20-second warm-up on the StepMill at a set stepping rate of 50 steps per minute. During this warm-up period, you are permitted to dismount, grasp the rail, or hold the wall to establish balance and cadence. If you fall or dismount the StepMill during the 20-second warm-up period, you must remount the StepMill and restart the entire 20-second warm-up period. You are allowed to restart the warm-up period twice. The timing of the 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, you must walk on the StepMill at a set stepping rate of 60 steps per minute for 3 minutes. This concludes the event. The two 12.5-pound (5.67-kg) weights are removed from your shoulders. Walk 85 feet (25.91 m) within the established walkway to the next event. Failures If you fall or dismount the StepMill three times during the warm-up period, you fail the test. If you fall, grasp any of the test equipment, or dismount the StepMill after the timed CPAT begins, the test is concluded and you fail the test. During the test, you are permitted to touch the wall or handrail for balance only momentarily. However, if the wall or handrail is grasped or touched for an extended period of time, or if the wall or handrail is used for weight bearing, you are warned. Only two warnings are given. The third infraction constitutes a failure, the test time is concluded and you fail the test. Event 2: Hose Drag This event uses an uncharged fire hose with a hoseline nozzle. The hoseline is marked at 8 feet (2.24 m) past the coupling at the nozzle to indicate the maximum amount of hose you are permitted to drape across your shoulder or chest. The hoseline is also marked at 50 feet (15.24m) past the coupling at the nozzle to indicate the amount of hoseline that you must pull into a marked boundary box before completing the test. This event is designed to simulate 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 event challenges your aerobic capacity, lower body muscular strength and endurance, upper back muscular strength and endurance, grip strength and endurance, and anaerobic endurance. This event affects your aerobic and anaerobic energy systems as well as the following muscle groups: quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, calves, lower back stabilizers, biceps, deltoids, upper back, and muscles of the forearm and hand (grip).

7 Event For this event, you must grasp a hoseline nozzle attached to 200 feet (60 m) of 1 3/4-inch (44- mm) hose. Place the hoseline over your shoulder or across your chest, not exceeding the 8-foot (2.24-m) mark. You are permitted to run during the hose drag. Drag the hose 75 feet (22.86 m) to a prepositioned drum, make a 90 degree turn around the drum, and continue an additional 25 feet (7.62 m). Stop within the marked 5 foot x 7 foot (1.52 m x 2.13 m) box, drop to at least one knee and pull the hoseline until the hoseline's 50-foot (15.24 m) mark crosses the finish line. During the hose pull, you must keep at least one knee in contact with the ground and knee(s) must remain within the marked boundary lines. This concludes the event. Walk 85 feet (25.91 m) within the established walkway to the next event. Failures During the hose drag, if you fail to go around the drum or go outside of the marked path (cones), the test time is concluded and you fail the test. During the hose pull, you are warned if at least one knee is not kept in contact with the ground. The second infraction constitutes a failure, the test time is concluded and you fail the test. During hose pull, you are warned if your knees go outside the marked boundary line. The second infraction constitutes a failure, the test time is concluded and you fail the test. Event 3: Carry This event uses two saws and a tool cabinet replicating a storage cabinet on a fire truck. 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. This event affects your aerobic energy system as well as the following muscle groups: biceps, deltoids, upper back, trapezius, muscles of the forearm and hand (grip), glutes, quadriceps, and hamstrings. Event For this event, you 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 75 feet (22.86 m) around the drum, then back to the starting point. You are permitted to place the saw(s) on the ground and adjust your grip. Upon return to the tool cabinet, place the saws on the ground, pick up each saw one at a time, and replace the saw in the designated space in the cabinet. This concludes the event. Walk 85 feet (25.91 m) within the established walkway to the next event.

8 Failures If you drop either saw on the ground during the carry, the test time is concluded and you fail the test. You receive one warning for running. The second infraction constitutes a failure, the test time is concluded and you fail the test. Event 4: Ladder Raise and Extension This event uses two 24-foot (7.32-m) fire department ladders. For your safety, a retractable lanyard is attached to the ladder that you raise. This event is designed to simulate the critical tasks of placing a ground ladder at a fire structure and extending the ladder to the roof or window. This event challenges your aerobic capacity, upper body muscular strength, lower body muscular strength, balance, grip strength, and anaerobic endurance. This event affects your aerobic and anaerobic energy systems as well as the following muscle groups: biceps, deltoids, upper back, trapezius, muscles of the forearm and hand (grip), glutes, quadriceps, and hamstrings. Event For this event, you must walk to the top rung of the 24-foot (7.32-m) aluminum extension ladder, lift the unhinged end from the ground, and walk it up until it is stationary against the wall. This must be done in a hand over hand fashion, using each rung until the ladder is stationary against the wall. You must not use the ladder rails to raise the ladder. Immediately proceed to the prepositioned and secured 24-foot (7.32 m) aluminum extension ladder, stand with both feet within the marked box of 36 inches x 36 inches (91.44 cm x cm), and extend the fly section hand over hand until it hits the stop. Then, lower the fly section hand over hand in a controlled fashion to the starting position. This concludes the event. Walk 85 feet (25.91 m) within the established walkway to the next event. Failures If you miss any rung during the raise, one warning is given. The second infraction constitutes a failure, the test time is concluded and you fail the test. If you allow the ladder to fall to the ground or the safety lanyard is activated because you released your grip on the ladder, the test time is concluded and you fail the test. If during the ladder extension, your feet do not remain within marked boundary lines, one warning is given. The second infraction constitutes a failure, the test time is concluded and you fail the test. If you do not maintain control of the ladder in a hand over hand manner, or let the rope halyard slip in an uncontrolled manner, your test time is concluded and you fail the test.

9 Event 5: Forcible Entry This event uses a mechanized device located 39 inches (1 m) off the ground that measures cumulative force from a 10-pound (4.54-kg) sledgehammer. 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 your aerobic capacity, upper body muscular strength and endurance, lower body muscular strength and endurance, balance, grip strength and endurance, and anaerobic endurance. This event affects your aerobic and anaerobic energy systems as well as the following muscle groups: quadriceps, glutes, triceps, upper back, trapezius, and muscles of the forearm and hand (grip). Event For this event, you must use a 10-pound (4.54 kg) sledgehammer to strike the measuring device in the target area until the buzzer is activated. During this event, you must keep your feet outside the toe-box at all times. After the buzzer is activated, place the sledgehammer on the ground. This concludes the event. Walk 85 feet (25.91 m) within the established walkway to the next event. Failures If you do not maintain control of the sledgehammer and release it from both hands while swinging, it constitutes a failure, the test time is concluded and you fail the test. If you step inside the toe-box, one warning is given. The second infraction constitutes a failure, the test time is concluded and you fail the test. Event 6: Search This event uses an enclosed search maze that has obstacles and narrowed spaces. 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 your aerobic capacity, upper body muscular strength and endurance, agility, balance, anaerobic endurance, and kinesthetic awareness. This event affects your aerobic and anaerobic energy systems as well as the following muscle groups: muscles of the chest, shoulder, triceps, quadriceps, abdominals, and lower back.

10 Event For this event, you must crawl through a tunnel maze that is approximately 3 feet (91.44 cm) high, 4 feet ( cm) wide and 64 feet (19.51 m) in length with two 90 degree turns. At a number of locations in the tunnel, you must navigate around, over, and under obstacles. In addition, at two locations, you must crawl through a narrowed space where the dimensions of the tunnel are reduced. Your movement is monitored through the maze. If for any reason you choose to end the event, call out or rap sharply on the wall or ceiling and you will be assisted out of the maze. Upon exit from the maze, the event is concluded. Walk 85 feet (25.91 m) within the established walkway to the next event. Failures A request for assistance that requires the opening of the escape hatch or opening of the entrance/exit covers constitutes a failure, the test time is concluded and you fail the test. Event 7: Rescue This event uses a weighted mannequin equipped with a harness with shoulder handles. This event is designed to simulate the critical task of removing a victim or injured partner from a fire scene. This event challenges your aerobic capacity, upper and lower body muscular strength and endurance, grip strength and endurance, and anaerobic endurance. This event affects your aerobic and anaerobic energy systems as well as the following muscle groups: quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, abdominals, torso rotators, lower back stabilizers, trapezius, deltoids, latissimus dorsi, biceps, and muscles of the forearm and hand (grip). Event For this event, you must grasp a 165-pound (74.84 kg) mannequin by the handle(s) on the shoulder(s) of the harness (either one or both handles are permitted), drag it 35 feet (10.67 m) to a prepositioned drum, make a 180 degree turn around the drum, and continue an additional 35 feet (10.67 m) to the finish line. You are not permitted to grasp or rest on the drum. It is permissible for the mannequin to touch the drum. You are permitted to drop and release the mannequin and adjust your grip. The entire mannequin must be dragged until it crosses the marked finish line. This concludes the event. Walk 85 feet (25.91 m) within the established walkway to the next event.

11 Failures If you grasp or rest on the drum at any time, one warning is given. The second infraction constitutes a failure, the test time is concluded and you fail the test. Event 8: Ceiling Breach and Pull This event uses a pike pole and a mechanized device that measures overhead push and pull. 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. This event is designed to simulate the critical task of breaching and pulling down a ceiling to check for fire extension. This event challenges your aerobic capacity, upper and lower body muscular strength and endurance, grip strength and endurance, and anaerobic endurance. This event affects your aerobic and anaerobic energy systems as well as the following muscle groups: quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, abdominals, torso rotators, lower back stabilizers, deltoids, trapezius, triceps, biceps, and muscles of the forearm and hand (grip). Event For this event, you must 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. You 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 result in a warning or constitute a failure. You are permitted to reestablish your grip and resume the event. If you do not successfully complete a repetition, the proctor calls out "MISS" and you must push or pull the apparatus again to complete the repetition. This event and the total test time ends when you complete the final pull stroke repetition as indicated by a proctor who calls out "TIME." Failures One warning is given if you drop the pike pole to the ground. If you drop the pike pole, you must pick it up without proctor assistance and resume the event. The second infraction constitutes a failure, the test time is concluded and you fail the test. If your feet do not remain within the marked boundary lines, one warning is given. The second infraction constitutes a failure, the test time is concluded and you fail the test.

12 POLICE FITNESS EXAMPLES The Physical Qualification Test (PQT) or Physical Ability Test (PAT) consists of various tests and is meant to weed out the weak out. Here are some of the more common tests you'll run into: 1. The 75-Yard Pursuit Run This test will mimic the demands of a foot pursuit. You could be presented with some punk kid who just stole a woman s purse or a perp who fled his vehicle after being cornered. Either way, you better be fast, agile, and ready to do an all-out sprint, which is exactly what this test evaluates. The pursuit run starts once the proctor yells, Go! You will then run straight ahead, weave around a cone, sprint to the next cone, and weave again until you complete the 75-yard run. There will be four or five barriers throughout the course that you have to step over and not hit during your pursuit. This test can be completed twice and the better of the two trials will be counted toward your score. If you hit a barrier or cone during the run you will be given a two-minute break and then be forced to restart the test. If you hit the barrier again you will be given a zero for this test. 2. Push Ups This push up test is used to assess muscular endurance and strength in your upper body. Good upper body strength is a must for wrestling perpetrators down to the ground once you finally catch them after your foot pursuit. The test is started in standard pushup position with your hands shoulder-width apart and your feet eight to twelve inches apart. While keeping your core tight and maintaining straight alignment from the back of your head to the heels of your feet, lower yourself down to the floor then push back up to the starting position. You have two minutes to complete as many pushups as possible, and only proper ones are counted.

13 3. Sit Ups How this test is used to evaluate your core strength. While there are obvious physical demands of become a police officer, there is also a lot of downtime spent sitting. Your hamstrings and hip flexors will tighten up from sitting, and then be challenged by long bouts of standing around with your heavy duty-belt on. All of these issues multiplied by 25 years on the job equals guaranteed back issues to accompany your pension. While this test is not assessing long-term back health on the job, it does adequately assess your baseline core endurance. The test starts off with you lying on your back with your knees flexed at a 45- to sixty-degree angle, feet together, and fingers interlocked behind your head. On the go command, you perform a sit up where your elbows touch your thighs. After making contact with your thighs lower yourself down until your back touches the ground. You have two minutes to complete as many sit ups as possible, and only proper ones are counted Mile Run While it will be rare that you run a mile and a half during your shift, this test will serve to assess your aerobic capacity. At first glance the test does not seem too difficult, but remember that this is a minimum requirement to become a police officer. As I mentioned, the weak will be quickly be weeded out with these tests and the strong will move onto the next phase. Find Your Score The following table outlines the overall scoring chart used and the points awarded. To see where you rank sum up the four point values. If your combined point total is equal to twenty points or higher, you have passed. If the point total is equal to nineteen points or fewer, you have failed and should tune in for the next installment of this article series.

14 An applicant must obtain one point on each of these four tests. If a person obtains a zero on any of the four tests, he or she will fail the test regardless of the scores on the other tests. If you are training for the police department in your area, make sure you look up the specific tests and the required scores you will need to accomplish.