Fire Service Fitness Test.

The standard of fitness to be a Fire Fighter is reasonably high but not beyond anyone reading this site. You need to train to pass the Fire Service Fitness Test and starting your training early in the process is the key to being well prepared. The standard for Fire Service Fitness Tests is laid out nationally.

13.5 Metre Ladder Climb.

A test of your confidence in which you will climb a 45 foot (13.5 m) Fire Service ladder to a point 2/3rds of the full height in full PPE (personal protective equipment). There you will use a leg lock previously demonstrated to you. You will then remove both hands and turn looking at the floor to the base of the ladder where you will identify a symbol that has been placed on the ground by the assessor. you will the descend safely to the ground.

Before initially ascending you will have to demonstrate the correct use of the leg lock at ground level to continue.

Casualty Evacuation (CasEvac)

This part of the Firefighter fitness test is designed to test your physical endurance, coordination, upper and lower body strength. Wearing your full PPE you will be guided by the assessor as you drag a dummy around a 30 metre course whilst walking backwards. This test has a time limit.

The dummy weighs in at 55kg, which is 121 lbs , or 8 and a half stone in old money! Heavy enough to be tiring and something you may wish to consider when training for the Fire Fighter fitness test.

Ladder Lift simulator test..

This is a test of coordination, upper, and lower body strength and replicates lifting one quarter of the weight of a 13.5 metre FRS Ladder. Under control you will raise and lower a 15 kg weighted cradle starting at 75cm from the ground and lifting to a point 182 cm or 6 foot.

Confined / Enclosed Space Test.

Another timed test in Full PPE and a Breathing Apparatus mask. The test begins with clear vision through the mask and at the halfway point a cover is the placed over to obscure the view. You will crawl through a crawl gallery and walkway with a clear view. Then with no view you will follow a reciprocal route returning the way you entered to the start and finish point. There are tasks to complete and this must be done in a given time.

The test is designed to test your agility, confidence, and to see if you have any Claustrophobic issues.

Assembling Equipment test.

This test covers your manual dexterity and ability to follow instructions. You will be given a demonstration or diagrammatical instructions to assist you in assembling and disassembling an item of fire service equipment. An example might be a portable pump. This test is timed.

Equipment Carry.

This is a test of co-ordination, endurance, stamina, your aerobic fitness, upper, and lower body strength.

The assessor will remind you of the order so this is not a test of memory!

You will be timed in completing the following tasks around a 25 metre course:

Drag a 30m hose reel out for 25 metres.

Carry 2 coiled hoses over a set distance.

Carry a coiled hose at chest height over a set distance.

Lift and carry a 2.4 metres Suction Hose and basket strainer for 100 metres.

Lift and carry a simulated portable pump ( 33kg weight) for 100 metres.

Each of the above runs have to return to the start point so as you can imagine your aerobic fitness is well tested during this timed task.

How to train for the Fire Service Fitness test?

Everyone is different and we all exercise in different ways so it would be foolish of us to try and tell you exactly how you should train. You do need to have good aerobic fitness and good stamina levels. Circuit type training is good for this. You will also need to lift items of equipment and drag and lift ladders in various postures so a good level of muscular fitness is also relevant. If you would like a great training program that is job related we highly recommend you look at How to get Firefighter Fit this is the only book you will need and we cannot recommend it highly enough. The author has assisted hundreds of serving firefighters to pass the fitness test. The link below will take you to Jim's site where you can download a copy and have it in your hand right now. Happy training!

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The Next stage ..... Fire Service Interview