What is the Firefighter CPAT Fitness Test?

What is the CPAT? firefighter Candidate Physical Ability Test? The firefighter Candidate Physical Ability Test, CPAT, is part of the Firefighter hiring process that tests the firefighter candidate’s physical ability for becoming a Firefighter. During my career I worked for three different departments, all required the successful passing of the CPAT testing process. I will explain the Firefighter CPAT testing process, where you can take the test, and how to prepare for the CPAT test.

What is the Firefighter CPAT fitness test? The acronym “CPAT” is an abbreviation for “Candidate Physical Ability Test”. The test is used to evaluate a candidates physical fitness level using fire related skills for the testing process. The CPAT consists of 8 skills based events completed in succession. The test is a timed event and the candidate must completed all the skills within 10 minutes and 20 seconds. Download a complete overview of the Firefighter CPAT testing process here.

Being physically fit is obviously a must to pass any firefighter physical ability test, including the CPAT. However, having a clear understanding of the CPAT testing process will give you an advantage over many candidates.

Having a strong workout program will be vital in your firefighter CPAT testing success. Being physically fit as a firefighter is apart of the career. I always told myself to be apart of the solution, don’t add to be problem. Being physically fit for the job helps me to perform at my best. There are some great fitness programs and tools to get you started and keep you motivated. Check out my Firefighter Physical Fitness Testing Preparation and Resources page for the latest training and physical fitness planning.

The 8 Stations of the Firefighter CPAT Testing Process.

1. Stair Climb – The stair Climb is simulated on a stair mill machine. For this event, you must wear weights on your shoulders. The candidate will walk on the Step Mill at a set stepping rate of 60 steps per minute for three minutes.
2. Hose Drag – The hose drag is just that, the candidate will pull a fire hose 200 feet
3. Equipment Carry – During this step the candidate will remove two saws from the tool cabinet, one in each hand, and carry them while walking 75 feet around the drum.
4. Ladder Raise and extension – In this event the candidate will raise a ladder from the ground to vertical against a wall. Then the candidate will move to a 24-foot aluminum extension ladder and extend the fly section hand over hand until it hits the stop. Then, lower the fly section hand over hand in a controlled fashion to the starting position.
5. Forcible Entry Simulation – During the forcible entry event the candidate will use a 10-pound sledgehammer to strike the measuring device until a buzzer sounds.
6. Search Simulation – For this event the candidate will crawl through a tunnel maze that is approximately 3 feet high, 4 feet wide and 64 feet in length with two 90-degree turns.
7. Rescue Simulation – For this event the candidate will grasp a 165-pound mannequin by the handles on the shoulders of the harness. They will then drag the mannequin 35 feet to a pre-positioned drum, make a 180-degree turn around the drum, and continue an additional 35 feet to the finish line.
8. Ceiling Breech and Pull – During the ceiling breech and pull event the candidate will raise a weighted and suspended door using a pike pole as well as pull a weighted hook five times for each. The candidate will complete 4 rounds of this process.

As you can see each event on its own is not overly difficult. However, putting all these events together in one process can be very physically taxing. Each of the events has critical failures as well as very specific instructions on how to compete each event.

Click the link here to get a free Firefighter CPAT Overview Guide.

Critical Failures.

Each event of the testing process has critical failures associated with the event. If the candidate violate these failures he or she will be stopped at that point of the test and informed that they have failed the test. Here is a summary of the critical failures for each event.

1. Stair Climb – During this event If the candidate falls or dismounts the Step Mill three times during the warm-up period, they fail the test. If the candidate falls, grasps any of the test equipment or dismount the Step Mill after the timed CPAT begins, the test is concluded and the candidate fails the test. During the test, the candidate is permitted to touch the wall or handrail for balance only momentarily. However, if the wall or handrail is grasped or touched for an extended period of time, or if the wall or handrail is used for weight bearing, the candidate is warned. Only two warnings are given. The third infraction constitutes a failure.
2. Hose drag – During the hose drag, if the candidate fails to go around the drum or go outside of the marked path the test they fail the test. During the hose pull, the candidate is warned if at least one knee is not kept in contact with the ground. The second infraction constitutes a failure.
3. Equipment Carry – If the candidate drops either saw on the ground during the carry, the test time is concluded and he or she fails the test. You receive one warning for running. The second infraction constitutes a failure.
4. Ladder Raise and Extension – While raising the ladder from the ground position if the candidate misses any rung during the raise one warning is given. The second infraction constitutes a failure. If the candidate allows the ladder to fall to the ground or the safety lanyard is activated because the candidate released their grip on the ladder, they fail the test. If during the ladder extension, the candidates feet does not remain within the marked boundary lines, one warning is given. The second infraction constitutes a failure. If the candidate does not maintain control of the ladder in a hand over hand manner, or let the rope halyard slip in an uncontrolled manner they fail the test.
5. Forcible Entry – If the candidate does not maintain control of the sledgehammer or release it while swinging, it constitutes a failure. If the candidate steps inside the toe box, one warning is given. The second infraction constitutes a failure.
6. Search – During the search event if the candidate requests assistance that requires the opening of the escape hatch or opening of the entrance/exit covers constitutes a failure.
7. Rescue – If the candidate grasps or rest on the drum at any time, one warning is given. The second infraction constitutes a failure.
8. Ceiling Breech and Pull – One warning is given if the candidate drops the pike pole to the ground. If they drop the pike pole, they must pick it up without the proctors assistance and resume the event. The second infraction constitutes a failure. If the candidates feet does not remain within the marked boundary lines, one warning is given. The second infraction constitutes a failure.

General Testing Information

The Firefighter CPAT test is a pass/fail test based on a total time of 10 minutes and 20 seconds.

During all of the events the candidate wears a 50-pound vest to simulate the weight of self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and fire fighter protective clothing. An additional 25 pounds, using two 12.5-pound weights that simulate a high-rise pack (hose bundle), is added to the candidates shoulders during the stair climb event.

Throughout all of the events, the candidate must wear long pants, a hard hat with chinstrap, work gloves and footwear with no open heel or toe.

All props, tools, and equipment were chosen to provide the highest level of consistency, safety and validity in measuring in measuring the candidates physical abilities. While the course layout may vary in order to conform to the fire department’s test area, the events and distances between events are always the same.

The events are placed in a sequence that best simulates fire scene events while allowing an 85-foot walk between events. No running is allowed between events. This walk allows the candidate approximately 20 seconds to recover and regroup before each event.

To ensure scoring accuracy by eliminating timer failure, two stopwatches are used to time the CPAT. One stopwatch is designated as the official test time stopwatch; the second is the backup stopwatch. If mechanical failure occurs, the time on the backup stopwatch is used. The stopwatches are set to the pass/fail time and count down from 10 minutes and 20 seconds. If time elapses prior to the completion of the test, the test is concluded and the candidate fails the test.

Who Developed The Firefighter CPAT Test?

The Fire Service Joint Labor Management Wellness/Fitness Initiative developed the test is 1997. This Initiative consists of a committee of members from both the International Association of Firefighters and the International Association of Fire Chiefs.

The Firefighter CPAT Test was developed as a fair and valid evaluation tool to assist in the selection of firefighters, and to ensure that all fire fighter candidates possess the physical ability to complete critical tasks effectively and safely.

Where Does the Candidate Take the Test?

The test is often administered by the fire department the candidate is applying for. However, many colleges and fire consortium’s will administer the test as well. It is important to complete the test well before the hiring process due to the amount of required time to apply and prepare. Many Colleges now even have CPAT classes to help the candidate prepare and practice test.

To be an administer of the CPAT test the entity giving the test must be approved by the Fire Service Joint Labor Management Wellness/Fitness Initiative review process. This is to ensure the test in constant and meets all the requirements outline by the committee.

Once the candidate has completed the test he or she will receive a certification that is good for one year. This can be submitted to other departments the candidate may be applying for as long as they accept the CPAT as their physical ability test.

The test goal is to develop a fair and valid evaluation tool in the selection of firefighters to ensure that all firefighter candidates possess the physical ability to complete critical tasks effectively and safely. I hope this has answered your questions about the firefighter CPAT testing process.

If you would like more detailed information on the testing process as well as information on how to prepare you can click here for my completely free CPAT testing preparation guide.