Firefighter Physical Fitness

Every Fire Department across Canada will have a fitness test in which you must meet standards to move on in the qualification process. 

Why are there fitness standards that must be met to qualify?

• Firefighting is a physically demanding job.
  • You must be physically capable of performing demanding tasks.

• Strains and sprains are the number one injury on the fire ground.
  • Physical fitness can reduce a lot of these injuries.

• Studies show that heart attacks are one of the leading causes of death for active-duty firefighters. In the last decade, about half of on-duty firefighter deaths were caused by heart attacks.
  • Regular exercise can help in the prevention of deaths caused by heart attack.

Physical Fitness also helps with stress management and mental health as part of self-care.