In 1997, the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) and International Fire Chiefs Association (IAFC) teamed up with 10 major North American fire services and unions to create the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT).
CPAT consists of eight separate events in sequence requiring you to progress along a predetermined path from event to event in a continuous manner. This test was developed to allow fire departments to test pools of trainable candidates who are physically able to perform essential job tasks at fire scenes. This is a pass / fail test based on a validated maximum total time of 10 minutes and 20 seconds.
CPAT Course Layout
CPAT consists of eight separate stations in sequence requiring you to progress along a predetermined path from event to event in a continuous manner:
- Station #1 - Stair Climb
- Station #2 - Hose Drag
- Station #3 - Equipment Carry
- Station #4 - Ladder Raise and Extension
- Station #5 - Forcible Entry
- Station #6 - Search
- Station #7 - Rescue
- Station #8 - Ceiling Breach and Pull
The eight events are placed in a sequence that best simulates fire scene events while allowing an 85-foot (25.91-m) walk between events. This walk allows you approximately 20 seconds to recover and regroup before the next event. To ensure the highest level of safety and to prevent exhaustion, you are not allowed to run between the events.
Testing Gear and Equipment
During these events, you will wear a 50-pound (22.68-kg) vest (provided) to simulate the weight of a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and firefighter protective clothing. An additional 25-pounds (11.34-kg), composed of two 12.5-pound (5.67-kg) weights (provided) that simulate a high-rise pack (hose bundle), is added to your shoulders for the first event, the stair climb.
Throughout all events, you are to wear long pants and footwear with no open heel or toe. Watches and loose or restrictive jewelry are not permitted. We will provide you with a hard hat with chin strap and work gloves. All props were designed to obtain the necessary information regarding your physical ability. The tools and equipment were chosen to provide the highest level of consistency, safety and validity in measuring this ability.
To ensure scoring accuracy by eliminating timer failure, we use two stopwatches 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; you have failed the test.
Fee
There is a fee of $210.00 (incl. GST) for each attempt. Payment can be made by cheque, payable to Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service or cash (exact change).
Booking an Independent CPAT Test
If you wish to take an independent CPAT Test Email to book an appointment.
2010 Testing Schedule
Forms