HENDERSONVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT VOLUNTARY PREP CLASSES FOR PHYSICAL AGILITY TESTING

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Gyles Blankenship
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1 HENDERSONVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT VOLUNTARY PREP CLASSES FOR PHYSICAL AGILITY TESTING In order to assist applicants in preparing for the Physical Agility Test, the Hendersonville Fire Department is offering voluntary preparatory classes at the location and dates that follow. Location: Dates: Hendersonville High School Parking Lot behind visitor bleachers 123 Cherokee Road Hendersonville, Tennessee Wednesday, October 24 th - 5:00 PM 8:00 PM CST Saturday, October 27 th - 9:00 AM 12:00 PM CST In order to expedite registration, please arrive 30 minutes prior to the practice start time. You will be required to have on file a completed Waiver / Release form for the practice sessions and/or the actual physical agility test. These classes will last approximately two hours. You may attend either class or both classes. Tasks in the Physical Agility Test will be outlined and any questions you have will be answered. Equipment will be on site for you to practice. You are strongly urged to attend at least one of these classes to better prepare yourself for the Physical Agility Test.

2 HENDERSONVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT PHYSICAL AGILITY ASSESSMENT Purpose of Assessment * To confirm the applicant s ability to perform various physical requirements of the firefighter job description. * To determine that the applicant does not possess a fear of heights * To evaluate the ability of the applicant to perform the basic functions of the job as listed in the job description NOTE: It is mandatory that you sign a Waiver / Release before being allowed to test. This form should be turned in with your application for employment. Before the test, you will be required to present a photo ID for identification validation. Prior to the Test Each participant must go through the physical agility orientation prior to testing. You should arrive no later than 20 minutes before your assigned time. During orientation, instructions will be given and each event will be reviewed. You will have the opportunity to ask questions. Required Protective Clothing The entire agility test will be performed by the applicant while wearing a fire helmet, turnout coat, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (without face mask) and any other safety equipment as needed for the events. These items will be provided by the. Wearing gloves during testing is up to each applicant; however, if you begin the testing wearing gloves, you WILL NOT be allowed to remove them until the end of the test. You are allowed to bring your own gloves to wear if you wish. If not, gloves will be provided for you at the test if you wish to utilize them. No other item of your own personal equipment, other than gloves, will be allowed. Description of Events The agility test will be divided into two (2) segments that will run consecutively The first segment will be the Aerial Climb which is a pass/fail event with a maximum allowable time of five (5) minutes. The second segment will be timed and will consist of five (5) consecutive events. There will be a maximum time limit of 2 minutes 30 seconds for this second segment. Pace yourself such that you will be capable of completing an event with sufficient reserve to accomplish the following one.

3 Page 2 Segment 1: Aerial Ladder Climb Pass/Fail This event is designed to test the applicant s ability to work at various heights, tests the applicant s ability to climb ladders and is designed to ascertain the absence of acrophobia (the fear of heights). Firefighters are required to perform firefighting and rescue work above ground level. Pass / Fail (max time) 5 minutes The applicant, wearing the above mentioned safety equipment, with the addition of a safety line and belt, will climb to the top of a free standing aerial device (extended at a 70-degree angle) to a height of seventy-five (75) to one hundred five (105) feet. Each rung of the aerial device must be touched with either foot (no rung skipping) until the applicant can touch the top rung with either hand. The proper placement of the hands while climbing should be on the rungs of the device not the sides. Time starts when applicant s first foot is placed on the bottom rung of the ladder and stops when they step back down on the turntable. At no time will the applicant be allowed to stop on the device once the climb has started. If the applicant stops on the device, they will be given a warning to continue their climb. After five (5) seconds, they will be issued their second warning to continue the climb. If the applicant does not resume the climb within five (5) seconds, they will be given a fail mark and will be disqualified from the agility test. A total of three (3) warnings at any time will result in elimination from the Aerial Ladder Climb and the remaining portion of the agility test. A hands free movement must be performed at the top. After locking in the safety belt, the applicant will release both hands and assume an upright position with both arms at a ninety (90) degree angle to the body. That position will be held for five (5) seconds then unfasten the safety belt clip and climb back down the ladder. Use of the safety belt and safety line will be explained by the proctor prior to beginning the climb. Although it is not a timed event as far as scoring, each applicant will be allotted a maximum time of five (5) minutes to complete this portion of the agility test. Failure to complete this segment in the allotted time will result in a FAIL score for the entire agility test. After successfully completing the Aerial Ladder Climb, the applicant will proceed directly to the timed events.

4 Page 3 Segment 2: Timed Events: 1) Stair Climb 2) Flat Ladder Raise 3) Hose Pull 4) Equipment Lift 5) Rescue Drag Wearing the same safety equipment (with the exception of the safety belt ), the applicant will challenge the timed events. This test will be based on a continued time for all five (5) events with the time beginning at the signal from the time keeper and ending when the final event is completed. The applicant must complete these five (5) events in 2 minutes 30 seconds or less. Point breakdown is as follows: 50 points - LESS than two minutes (1:59.99 or less) 47 points Two minutes (2:00.00) to 2 minutes 09 secs (2:09.00) 44 points Two minutes ten secs (2:10.00) to 2 minutes 19 secs (2:19.00) 40 points Two minutes twenty secs (2:20.00) to 2 minutes 30 secs (2:30.00) 0 points GREATER than 2 minutes 30 seconds (2:30.01 and greater). This will result in disqualification. Rules **All safety equipment must remain intact and in place on the applicant during the test. **Failure to complete the aerial climb and/or the agility events in the allotted time will result in the elimination of the applicant from the testing process.

5 Page 4 Description of Events: 1) Stair Climb It is common practice to carry hose to a fire floor or extend existing fire hose lines. Often one firefighter may be required to carry this equipment alone. Beginning at the bottom of the stairwell in the training tower, the applicant must carry a high-rise hose pack to the third (3 rd ) floor of the tower and touch a designated marker. They will then return down the steps and then back up to the second floor landing, then down the steps placing the pack on the ground at the bottom of the stairs. The applicant must touch every step when both ascending and descending the stairs. If you skip a step on the stair climb, you will be called back to the point of the infraction and your time will continue to run. Handrails and the free hand may be used to assist in the climb if needed for balance. The applicant may pick up and position the hose pack on their shoulder before beginning. Time starts when the applicant s foot touches the first step. The high-rise pack will consist of two (2) sections of 1 ¾ fire hose, one (1) 2 ½ to 1 ½ adapter and one (1) nozzle. The applicant will then proceed to the next event which will be the Flat Ladder Raise. 2) Flat Ladder Raise Ladders are commonly used on the fire ground. This event is designed to simulate the critical task of placing a ground ladder at a fire structure. The applicant will raise a fourteen (14) foot aluminum extension ladder placed against a wall using the hand over hand method. The ladder will be placed in a horizontal position on the ground with one end flush against a wall. The applicant will begin raising the ladder by picking up the first rung opposite the wall and continue walking the ladder up with a hand over hand motion until the ladder is standing upright and touching the wall. Reversing the procedure and again using the hand over hand method, the ladder will then be lowered back to the ground returning it to its original position. The applicant must touch every rung of the ladder until the ladder is flush against the building. This is done while both raising and lowering the ladder. If a rung is missed, you will be called back to the point of infraction and the time will continue to run. The applicant will then proceed to the next event which will be the Hose Pull.

6 Page 5 3) Hose Pull This event is designed to simulate the critical task of dragging an uncharged hose line from the fire apparatus to the fire scene. The applicant must advance 200 feet of uncharged, pre-connected 1 ¾ hose to a point designated on the course and LAY the nozzle down. Do NOT drop or throw the nozzle. The applicant should grasp the nozzle attached to the hose line and place the hose line over their shoulder or across their chest. Drag the hose to a pre-positioned boundary marker on the course. The applicant will then proceed through the established marked boundaries to the next event which will be the Equipment Lift. 4) Equipment Lift This event is designed to simulate the critical task of removing power equipment from a fire apparatus For this event, the applicant must lift a fire department exhaust fan from the ground and place it on a platform that is approximately 57 ½ tall. After placing the fan securely on the platform, the applicant will momentarily remove both hands from the fan to demonstrate control and stability of the fan. The fan must then be picked up, removed from the platform and placed back at its original starting position on the ground. Do not drop the fan. Sit it back on the ground. The applicant will then proceed to the next event which will be the Rescue Drag. 5) Rescue Drag This event simulates the critical task of removing a victim or injured partner from a hazardous situation to a safe location. At times, this task may have to be completed by one firefighter. While walking backwards, the applicant will drag a weighted rescue mannequin (weighing approximately 165 pounds) a distance of fifty (50) feet. You are permitted to drop and release the mannequin and adjust your grip during the event. However, you may NOT carry the mannequin (mannequin s feet must touch the ground at all times). Time will end when the entire mannequin crosses the marked finish line. This event concludes the physical agility assessment.

7 Page 6 A Note on Attire for the Physical Agility Test: Dress according to the weather. It is recommended that you wear comfortable clothing and shoes (sneakers). PLEASE NOTE: You will need to arrive at the White House City Fire Department, Station 2, no later than 20 minutes before your assigned time for orientation. Come in the front entrance. You must remain in the designated waiting area until your group is called. Please do not direct questions to fire department personnel during this time. You will be given time prior to your test to ask questions. Anyone arriving late will NOT be allowed to test and will be placed on stand-by. They will be allowed to test if there is a vacancy in a subsequent group. DIRECTIONS TO WHITE HOUSE CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT, STATION Business Park Drive, White House, TN FROM I-65 NORTH: Get yourself to I-65S towards Nashville. Take exit 108 (White House exit). Turn left onto Highway 76. Take Highway 76 to where it meets 31W and turn right onto 31W. Proceed straight on 31W until you reach 120 Business Park Drive (it will be located on the right). FROM I-24 EAST, I-40 EAST, I-40 WEST, AND I-65 SOUTH: Get yourself to I- 65N and travel I-65 North towards Louisville. Take the US 31W exit, Exit 98, toward Millersville/Springfield (.14 miles). Keep right to take the ramp toward Millersville (.08 miles). Merge onto US-31W N/TN -41 (7.49 miles). Turn left onto Business Park Drive (.13 miles, Business Park Drive is.2 miles past Marlin Road. If you reach Burnaby Way, you ve gone a little too far.) 120 Business Park Drive is on the right. From 1-24 West: Get yourself to I-24E. Take the TN-45/Old Hickory Blvd exit, exit 40 (.18 miles). Keep left at the fork on the ramp (then.05 miles). Turn left onto TN- 45/Old Hickory Blvd (then 3.85 miles). Merge onto I-65N towards Louisville (then 3.23 miles). Keep left to take I-65 N toward Louisville (then 3.44 miles). Take the US-31W exit, Exit 98, toward Millersville/Springfield (then 0.14 miles). Keep right to take the ramp toward Millersville (then.08 miles). Merge onto US-31W N/TN-41 (then 7.49 miles). Turn left onto Business Park Drive (.13 miles, Business Park Drive is.2 miles past Marlin Road, if you reach Burnaby Way you ve gone a little too far). 120 Business Park Drive is on the right.

City of Charlottesville Charlottesville Fire Department Physical Ability Test Orientation Guide

City of Charlottesville Charlottesville Fire Department Physical Ability Test Orientation Guide The Charlottesville Fire Department s fire service physical ability test consists of eight (8) separate events.