The IAFF/IAFC Wellness-Fitness Task Force’s Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT)
The IAFF and IAFC have teamed up with 10 of North America’s leading fire departments and unions through the Fire Service Joint Labor Management Wellness/Fitness Initiative to develop the IAFF/IAFC Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT). The participating departments on the Task Force are:
- Austin, TX Local 975
- Calgary, AB Local 255
- Charlotte, NC Local 660
- Fairfax, VA Local 2068
- Indianapolis, IN Local 416
- Los Angeles County, CA Local 1014
- Metro Dade, FL Local 1403
- New York City, NY Local 94 and Local 854
- Phoenix, AZ Local 493
- Seattle, WA Local 27
The Task Force successfully developed the Fire Service Joint Labor-Management Wellness-Fitness Initiative in 1997 to address the need for a holistic and non-punitive approach to wellness and fitness in the fire service. The Task Force then discovered that municipalities were hiring people who would not be physically capable of a successful career in the fire service. The Task Force, therefore, unanimously agreed to develop a physical ability test for pre-employment testing of candidates. The Task Force has developed and validated the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT), resulting in a consistent test for hiring of candidate fire fighters.
The Wellness/Fitness Initiative and the Candidate Physical Ability Test Program have been reviewed and utilized by fire departments throughout the U.S. and Canada. Each of the Task Force jurisdictions has also served as a resource and has assisted fire departments in their region with the adoption of these programs. An updated Wellness/Fitness Initiative and the Candidate Physical Ability Test is available through the IAFF and the IAFC.
It has now been over 20 years since we joined together to form the IAFF/IAFC Fire Service Joint Labor Management Wellness-Fitness Task Force. The Task Force has dedicated itself to developing a holistic, positive rehabilitating and educational approach to wellness and fitness programs in the fire service.
One of the three major initiatives was the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) Program. Since its release in 1999, over 900 jurisdictions have successfully implemented this valuable program.
After a municipality has completed all aspects of recruiting and mentoring candidates they may administer the actual eight-event test. During the entire test the candidate must wear a 50 lb. weighted vest (simulating the weight of a fire fighters protective clothing and equipment). The eight events are:
- Stair Climb (climbing stairs while carrying an additional 25 lb. simulated hose pack)
- Ladder Raise and Extension (placing a ground ladder at the fire scene and extending the ladder to the roof or a window)
- Hose Drag (stretching uncharged hoselines, advancing lines)
- Equipment Carry (removing and carrying equipment from fire apparatus to fireground)
- Forcible Entry (penetrating a locked door, breaching a wall) and
- Search (crawling through dark unpredictable areas to search for victims)
- Rescue Drag (removing victim or partner from a fire building)
- Ceiling Pull (locating fire and checking for fire extension)
Source : https://www.iaff.org/cpat/
Walk through of the CPAT
