| Greater St. Louis County Fire Academy, Inc. |
| Physical Agility Test |
Passage of the Physical Agility Test is required prior to admission to an Academy class. The test is conducted at
the Academy.
The test is comprised of six (6) tasks, which are simulations of actual tasks performed on the job. These six (6)
tasks must be performed within seven (7) minutes or less. Applicants will perform the tasks wearing a firefighter's
helmet, turnout coat, gloves, and self-contained breathing apparatus. The total weight of the protective gear is
approximately 45 pounds.
Casual civilian clothing appropriate for physical testing is required. Proper attire is long, comfortable pants (i.e.
sweat pants), comfortable shirt and athletic type shoes suitable for running. You may find knee pads to be helpful
when testing.
While all students must provide their own turnout gear when they attend an Academy class, it is not necessary to
bring turnout gear for the test. The Academy will supply the gear for the test.
A completed Physician’s Certification Form and proof of medical insurance are always due prior to an
individual’s participation in the test. The Physician’s Certification Form is provided to an applicant once they are
rostered for a test. A copy of your insurance card or current letter from your insurance carrier is acceptable for
proof of insurance.
A $40.00 fee is also due prior to participation in the test. This fee covers the costs of administering the test and is
non-refundable.
This is a very strenuous performance test which requires running, crawling, climbing stairs and pulling heavy dead-
weight objects; among other things.
Firefighting involves extremely hard and skilled physical work. The physical and mental demands of firefighting are
sometimes underestimated. Because of this, many applicants are overwhelmed by the Physical Agility Test.
Demanding physical standards are absolutely necessary because firefighting requires a high level of physical fitness
and mental alertness.
The following six (6) events comprise the Physical Agility Test
* * * The first rest station is after High Rise * * *
* * * The second rest station is after Ladder Handling * * *
* * * The third rest station is after the Attic Crawl * * *
RESTING
Resting can only be done in a rest station and only under certain circumstances. There are three rest stations
located on the course. No station may be entered until after completion of the third task. An applicant may enter
one station only and remain there for a maximum of one minute. Any time spent in the rest station increases the
overall time of the applicant. An applicant does not have to use the rest stations, but should if they feel it is
necessary.
If an applicant takes a rest anywhere other than a rest station, that applicant will be disqualified. If an applicant
spends more than one (1) minute in a rest station, that applicant will be disqualified.
the Academy.
The test is comprised of six (6) tasks, which are simulations of actual tasks performed on the job. These six (6)
tasks must be performed within seven (7) minutes or less. Applicants will perform the tasks wearing a firefighter's
helmet, turnout coat, gloves, and self-contained breathing apparatus. The total weight of the protective gear is
approximately 45 pounds.
Casual civilian clothing appropriate for physical testing is required. Proper attire is long, comfortable pants (i.e.
sweat pants), comfortable shirt and athletic type shoes suitable for running. You may find knee pads to be helpful
when testing.
While all students must provide their own turnout gear when they attend an Academy class, it is not necessary to
bring turnout gear for the test. The Academy will supply the gear for the test.
A completed Physician’s Certification Form and proof of medical insurance are always due prior to an
individual’s participation in the test. The Physician’s Certification Form is provided to an applicant once they are
rostered for a test. A copy of your insurance card or current letter from your insurance carrier is acceptable for
proof of insurance.
A $40.00 fee is also due prior to participation in the test. This fee covers the costs of administering the test and is
non-refundable.
This is a very strenuous performance test which requires running, crawling, climbing stairs and pulling heavy dead-
weight objects; among other things.
Firefighting involves extremely hard and skilled physical work. The physical and mental demands of firefighting are
sometimes underestimated. Because of this, many applicants are overwhelmed by the Physical Agility Test.
Demanding physical standards are absolutely necessary because firefighting requires a high level of physical fitness
and mental alertness.
The following six (6) events comprise the Physical Agility Test
- 1. HOSE PULL
- Requirement: Extend 200 feet of 1 3/4 inch fire hose.
- Procedure: The applicant will approach 200 feet of dry 1 3/4 inch fire hose and nozzle, which is in an
extended accordion fold. The hose is placed on the applicant by Academy personnel. The applicant then
moves forward until the entire 200 feet of hose is stretched out. This is completed as quickly as possible
and without stopping.
- Job Relatedness: 1 3/4 inch hose is carried on engine companies. A firefighter occupying the nozzle
position on an engine company is responsible for extending the line to the point of attack.
- Grading Guideline: The instructor will see that the applicant pulls the hose the designated distance
without stopping. If an applicant can not complete the task, that applicant will have failed the task and will
not be allowed to go to the next station. If an applicant falls down, that applicant will be given the chance
to get up and complete the task as long as the instructor feels the applicant is not resting. If the instructor
feels that the applicant is resting, the applicant will have failed this task and will not be allowed to go to the
next station.
- Helpful Information: As you approach the hose pull station, put your arms straight out to your sides to
aid in placement of the hose. Wait for the command to start.
- 2. VENTILATION EXERCISE/KEISER SLED
- Requirement: Complete acceptable impacts with a nine (9) pound soft impact sledgehammer to move
the ram approximately five (5) feet on the Keiser sled in each direction.
- Procedure: While standing on ground level, the applicant must strike a target in the demonstrated manner
as quickly as possible, with enough force to move the Keiser sled approximately five (5) feet in each
direction.
- Job Relatedness: In order to effectively ventilate the roof of a small (40' x 60') building, the firefighter
would be required to strike the roof, penetrating the roof material with each blow. This is normally
accomplished using a six-pound pick-headed axe. However, we use a nine (9) pound soft impact
sledgehammer for safety to the applicant.
- Grading Guideline: The instructor will tell you to move to the next evolution when the ram completes five
(5) feet of movement in each direction.
- The instructor will see that the applicant uses short chopping strokes while doing the task.
- 3. HIGH RISE
- Requirement: Carry high rise equipment for a distance of approximately 70 feet, ascend and descend
two flights of stairs.
- Procedure: Two high rise packs of 1 1/2 inch fire hose are placed on the applicant's shoulders by
Academy personnel. The applicant then carries them approximately 70 feet as quickly as possible. Within
this 70 feet, the applicant must ascend and descend two flights of stairs.
- Job Relatedness: When preparing to operate on fires above ground level (high rise), it is routine to take
this equipment aloft. It is common practice for one firefighter to carry the hose.
- Grading Guideline: The instructor will see that the applicant completes the task without stopping or
resting. If an applicant stops or takes a rest, that applicant will have failed the task and will not be allowed
to go to the next station.
- Helpful Information: When you reach the high rise station, the hose packs will be placed onto your
shoulders. Proceed as directed to the stairwell and use the handrails as you proceed up and down the
stairwell.
* * * The first rest station is after High Rise * * *
- 4. LADDER HANDLING
- Requirement: Remove 16 foot ladder from rack, carry it a short distance and replace it on an identical
rack.
- Procedure: The applicant will approach a 16 foot ladder which is hanging on a ladder rack mounted 74
inches above the ground. The ladder must be removed from the rack, carried approximately ten feet, and
replaced in its original position on an identical rack as quickly as possible. The ladder must not be
dropped or touch the ground.
- Job Relatedness: Ladders carried onto engine companies are mounted an average of 74 inches off the
ground. An individual must have the ability to reach and maneuver these ladders at the scene of an
emergency.
- Grading Guideline: The instructor will see that the applicant moves the ladder without dropping it or
letting it touch the ground. If an applicant drops the ladder or it touches the ground, the applicant will have
failed the task and will not be allowed to go to the next station.
The instructor will also see that the applicant replaces the ladder on the rack so that the mark on the ladder
and the mark on the wall match identically. If they do not match, the instructor will allow the applicant to
re align the ladder as often as needed until time expires. If time expires, the applicant will have failed the
task and will not be allowed to go to the next station.
- Helpful Information: You must line the white line on the ladder with the white line on the wall.
* * * The second rest station is after Ladder Handling * * *
- 5. ATTIC CRAWL
- Requirement: Applicant will proceed on hands and knees on rafters which are 24 inches apart, through a
ground level attic prop.
- Procedure: The above requirement must be performed as quickly as possible. Ten seconds will be
added to the applicant's overall time each time a part of the body drops between the rafters.
- Job Relatedness: Proceeding through attics and confining crawl spaces in full gear is a routine part of the
firefighter's duties. In order to reach smoldering attic fire, or to check for extension from an interior fire,
the firefighter may enter the attic and crawl to the necessary location. If a part of the body drops between
the rafters, unnecessary damage is done to the ceiling. Also, this can result in injury to the firefighter.
- Grading Guideline: The instructor will see that the applicant enters the attic crawl in a safe manner, and
add penalty points to the applicants score only if the applicant has part of their body fall below the bottom
truss. Fingers and toes showing through the bottom of the truss will not be counted as penalty points. If an
applicant exits the attic crawl before completing the task, that applicant will have failed the task and will not
be allowed to go to the next station.
- Helpful Information: Do not exit the attic simulator, penalty points will be assessed if a part of your body
falls through the bottom truss.
* * * The third rest station is after the Attic Crawl * * *
- 6. BAG DRAG
- Requirement: Drag a 140 pound sandbag 120 feet.
- Procedure: Applicant must, while walking backwards, drag a 140 pound sandbag 120 feet to the finish
line as quickly as possible without stopping.
- Job Relatedness: When performing a rescue in a fire situation, most adults are not carried from the
building, but rather the firefighter drags them. To remove the victim to a safe location, it is not unusual to
travel a distance of 120 feet or more. This task is commonly completed by one firefighter.
- Grading Guideline: The instructor will see that the applicant completes the task with out stopping or
resting. If an applicant stops or takes a rest, the applicant will have failed the task.
- Helpful Information: This is the last station. It is important that you get a good grip on the bag. The
stopwatch will continue to run until the bag completely crosses the finish line.
RESTING
Resting can only be done in a rest station and only under certain circumstances. There are three rest stations
located on the course. No station may be entered until after completion of the third task. An applicant may enter
one station only and remain there for a maximum of one minute. Any time spent in the rest station increases the
overall time of the applicant. An applicant does not have to use the rest stations, but should if they feel it is
necessary.
If an applicant takes a rest anywhere other than a rest station, that applicant will be disqualified. If an applicant
spends more than one (1) minute in a rest station, that applicant will be disqualified.
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