CPAT Candidate Physical Ability Testing

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CPATCandidate Physical Ability Testing
www.SUFD.org
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CANDIDATE PHYSICAL ABILITY TESTING

• Southwest United Fire Districts
• 7550 Lyman Ave.
• Darien, IL. 60516
• 630.910.2216
  www.SUFD.org

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A Great Partnership

• The Fire Service Joint Labor Management
  Wellness-Fitness Initiative in partnership with
  the International Association of Fire Fighters
  and the International Association of Fire Chiefs.
• Together have developed a protocol which allows
  for uniform testing of potential firefighters.

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Firefighter Candidate Testing

• Firefighting requires above average aerobic and
  anaerobic power, muscular strength, endurance and
  flexibility.
• The Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) is
  designed to identify individuals who have the
  physical attributes to perform the job of a
  firefighter.

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Typical Firefighter Hiring Process

• Application/ Administrative Processing
• Orientation to Your Department
• Written Testing
• Physical Ability Testing
• Medical Evaluation
• Background Checks
• Hiring Process

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WHY does your Fire Department testing process
need CPAT ?

• CPAT qualified candidates meet IAFF/IAFC
  pre-employment standard as part of your hiring
  process.
• Saves time by conducting and validating the
  physical ability test before the hiring process
  begins.
• Places the responsibility for physical ability
  testing with the candidate.
• Saves your Fire Department much needed budget
  as the candidate will now pay for physical
  ability testing.

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Easier on your BUDGET

• Require your firefighter candidates to obtain
  Physical Ability Testing.
• The candidate can schedule and pay for the CPAT
  as part of their application process.
• The CPAT simply becomes one of the requirements
  to apply to your department.
• Budget money is saved because you do not have to
  run physical ability testing at your department
  (overtime, set-up, materials, admin)

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Candidate Responsibility

• Candidates must maintain a current passing score
  on the CPAT from the time of application to the
  time of appointment as a Firefighter.
• Candidates may apply provisionally if they are
  currently enrolled in a CPAT program
• Local agency determination
• CPAT scores (pass/fail) are valid according to
  local authority

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Agency Responsibility

• As part of employment process, establish CPAT
  Eligibility as part of prerequisites
• Typically prior to written examination
• Apply for IAFF/IAFC License agreement for CPAT
  process
• Conduct agency transportability study to
  correlate CPAT to your agency
• Verify candidate possession of CPAT Eligibility
  card during your testing process

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Sample Board of Commissioners Hiring Language

• Certification that a firefighter candidate has
  successfully, within the twelve months
  immediately proceeding the conduct of the written
  test, passed the CPAT, as licensed and approved
  by the IAFF/IAFC satisfies the candidates
  obligation to complete the physical aptitude
  test component of this examination process.

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CPAT Eligibility Card

• Successful candidates are provided with a CPAT
  Eligibility Card by from SUFD
• Photo ID with date of passing
• Database kept by SUFD can be authenticated on
  request.
• SUFD recommends that CPAT Eligibility Cards are
  valid for a period of one (1) year from date of
  test

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Hiring Process Simplified

• Your Board of Fire Commissioners/ Fire Chief
  Administrator adopts the CPAT as the physical
  ability test.
• Candidates schedule and pay for the CPAT
  themselves.
• No cost is incurred by the testing department for
  physical ability testing
• The candidate simply provides an official copy of
  his/ her verification card upon applying to your
  Fire Department.

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SUFD CPAT Testing CenterProvides Candidates

• Mandatory Orientation Session
• Preparation guide available on-line
• Controlled practice environment with Peer Fitness
  Trainers
• Verification of successful completion provided to
  candidate via ID Card

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Objective Validity Criteria

• The CPAT is a validated, legally defensible and
  legitimate tool for assessing the firefighter
  candidates.
• CPAT meets validation criteria established by
• Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
• United States Department of Justice (DOJ)
• United States Department of Labor (DOL)
• Canadian Human Rights Commission.

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Testing Fee

• Test fee per candidate is 110 for the each test.
  
• Traditional testing schedules are also available
  upon request. Fees vary with this option.
• Your agency may contract for individual testing

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Candidate Testing Program

• Attend Mandatory CPAT orientation
• Administrative procedures
• Testing orientation
• Exercise program overview
• Two Station practice sessions
• Two timed course practice sessions
• Challenge CPAT Test
• Successful candidates receive a Eligibility Card
• Commissions should determine length of time that
  eligibility card is valid through their testing
  process

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The CPAT

• Testing Overview

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Key CPAT Information

• The CPAT consists of eight separate events
• A sequence of events requiring the candidate to
  progress along a predetermined path from event to
  event in a continuous manner.
• Is a Pass/Fail test based on a validated maximum
  total time of 10 minutes and 20 seconds.

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Sequencing of Events

• Events are placed in a sequence that best
  simulates fire scene events while allowing an 85
  foot walk between events.
• To ensure the highest level of safety and to
  prevent exhaustion, no running is allowed between
  events.
• This walk allows the candidate approx. 20 seconds
  to recover and regroup before each event.

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Required Equipment Provided

• 50 pound weight vest simulates the SCBA
• and firefighting protective bunker gear
• Additional 25 added during stair climb
• Hard hat simulating fire helmet doubles as PPE
  for the CPAT
• Work gloves also provided

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Order of CPAT Events

• Stair Climb
• Hose Drag
• Equipment Carry
• Ladder Raise and Extension

• Forcible Entry
• Search
• Rescue
• Ceiling Breach and Pull

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STAIR CLIMB

• Designed to simulate the critical tasks of
  climbing stairs in full protective clothing
  carrying firefighting equipment
• 2 compound weights are worn to simulate a
  high-rise pack.

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HOSE DRAG

• Designed to simulate the critical tasks of
  dragging an uncharged hoseline from the fire
  apparatus to the fire occupancy and pulling an
  uncharged hoseline around obstacles while
  remaining stationary.

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EQUIPMENT CARRY

• Designed to simulate the critical tasks of
  removing power tools from a fire apparatus,
  carrying them to the scene and returning the
  equipment to the fire apparatus.

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LADDER RAISE AND EXTENSION

• Simulates the critical tasks of placing a ground
  ladder at a fire structure and extending the
  ladder to the roof or window.

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FORCIBLE ENTRY

• Designed to simulate the critical tasks of using
  force to open a locked door or to breach a wall

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SEARCH

• This event is designed to simulate the critical
  task of searching for a fire victim with limited
  visibility in an unpredictable area.

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RESCUE

• Event is designed to simulate the critical task
  of removing a victim or injured partner from a
  fire scene.

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CEILING BREACH AND PULL

• This event uses a mechanized device that measures
  overhead push and pull forces and a Pike Pole.

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SELECTION OF EVENTS

• All props were designed to obtain the necessary
  information regarding the physical ability of
  your candidates.
• Tools and equipment were chosen to provide the
  highest level of consistency, safety and validity
  in measuring the candidates physical abilities

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CANDIDATE PHYSICAL ABILITY TESTING

• Southwest United Fire Districts
• 7550 Lyman Ave.
• Darien, IL. 60516
• 630.910.2216
  www.SUFD.org