I. Overview
The Physical Ability Test is designed to reflect the minimum standard of physical performance and endurance for active suppression personnel of the Diamond Springs/El Dorado Fire Protection District. It is designed to simulate as closely as possible the actual tasks of a firefighter. No special knowledge or training is needed to complete any event outlined herein. All candidates for career and volunteer positions must successfully complete the test prior to assignment in a suppression capacity. After August 1, 1998, all existing suppression personnel shall pass this test annually in order to remain active as a suppression employee.
II. Standard
The Physical Ability Test consists of six events as described in Article VI. The candidate must successfully complete all of the events in the prescribed manner and order within five minutes and thirty seconds (5:30). The time will start when the candidate begins the first event. It will stop when the candidate completes the last event.
III. Proctors
Each candidate will be assigned a proctor/timekeeper who will accompany the candidate through the entire process.
IV. Disqualification
Candidates may be disqualified by the proctor for any of the following reasons:
A. Failure to complete all of the events within the specified elapsed time.
B. Failure to properly perform an event after a verbal correction warning from the proctor.
C. Intentionally damaging or misusing district property prior to, during or immediately after the test.
D. Running at any time during the test, except during Event #2.
V. Candidate Clothing and Equipment
A. Each candidate shall wear a shirt, long pants, and lace up boots or suitable athletic shoes during the entire test.
B. The candidate shall wear a fire service turnout coat, structure fire helmet, gloves and a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) during the first five events. No mask will be used. All clothing and equipment required by this section shall be provided by the district.
C. The candidate will be fully dressed prior to starting the clock.
VI. The Test
A. Event #1 simulates a firefighter using an ax to vent a structure. The candidate shall use an eight pound sledge hammer to strike a target on the ground 50 times. In order for a hammer strike to be counted, the head of the hammer must be raised above the candidate's shoulder. The candidate's knees may not touch the ground during the event. Time will begin with the first hammer strike.
B. Event #2 simulates a firefighter extending a charged hoseline from a fire engine to a fire. A charged 1¾" hoseline with nozzle or shutoff valve attached will be placed on the ground behind a start line. The candidate shall advance the nozzle 100 feet across a designated line. The candidate shall not drag the nozzle on the ground or operate the nozzle valve.
C. Event #3 simulates a firefighter lifting a ladder off a ladder rack of a fire engine, carrying it to a building, and then replacing it. The candidate shall remove a 14 foot roof ladder from its position on a rack, carry it to a designated point 50 feet away, and then replace it on the ladder rack as it was originally found. No part of the ladder may touch the ground during the event.
D. Event #4 simulates a firefighter rescuing a person from a building. The candidate shall drag a 120 pound rescue dummy or drag device from a start point to an end point 30 feet away.
E. Event #5 simulates a firefighter extending the fly of a 35 foot extension ladder. While standing on the ground, the candidate shall use the provided halyard (rope) and pulley, and raise a 50 foot roll of 2½" hose hand over hand to a height of 25 feet. The candidate shall then lower the hose back to the ground. At no time shall the candidate allow the halyard to slip through his or her hands.
The candidate shall remove his or her SCBA, helmet , turnout coat and gloves, and place them on the ground after completing this event.
F. Event #6 simulates a firefighter carrying a wildland hose pack up a hillside to provide additional hose to a hose lay on a wildland fire. The candidate shall walk to the start point and place a wildland hose pack on his or her back. The proctor may assist in donning the pack. The candidate shall then walk the prescribed 500 foot (approximate) course to the finish line. Timing will end at this point.
VII Employee Compliance
A. The district will administer the Physical Ability Test annually for all suppression employees during the months of June and/or July.
B. All suppression personnel must successfully complete this test annually in order to maintain active status as a suppression employee. Employees who miss the annual test due to absence from the county during the annual test period shall take the test within thirty days of returning to duty.
C. Suppression employees by definition are all personnel who hold the position of Volunteer Firefighter, all limited term employees assigned to a suppression shift, and all career employees who are enrolled in the CalPERS Local Safety retirement system.
D. Personnel who do not successfully complete this test as required will have six months to come into compliance.
1. Personnel who are temporarily disabled, and are not currently serving in a suppression capacity, are exempt from this requirement for the duration of their disability. Such personnel must successfully complete this test prior to returning to work if they have been off suppression duty for more than sixty days, or if they have missed the normal annual test period during their disability.
2. Any individual who fails the annual test may take the test again at any time within the six month compliance period, but may not force the district to give the test more often than every two weeks.
3. A suppression employee who fails to pass the annual Physical Ability Test, and also fails to pass the test in the immediately following six months, except as outlined in Item VII.C.1 above, will be removed from suppression duty and separated from employment with the Diamond Springs/El Dorado Fire Protection District .
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