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USA Fire Departments

The US Fire Department requires new recruits to undergo fitness assessments as part of the recruitment process. Below is some information about the fitness requirements and standards. This information is presented for discussion and may be out of date - for the latest information see official sources.



CPAT Assessment Test

The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) unveiled several years ago the new Joint Fire Service Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT). This unprecedented, innovative and equitable physical ability test for fire fighter candidates is designed to help fire departments measure the physical ability of candidates to perform routine fire fighting tasks. It consists of eight events:

fire fighting competitionfire fighting equipment

It is a pass-fail test that is content-valid based on fire fighter job tasks, but avoids the pitfalls of testing candidates on specific fire fighting skills that require academy training. The test was designed to be both reliable and valid, meaning the test will produce consistent results and will measure an applicant's ability to display job-relevant characteristics and skills. It has been through an extensive validation process, including scientific, legal, and fire service review.



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