Brian H Wilbur, Fire Chief

J Thomas Dorman, Deputy Fire Chief

Physical Performance Assessment (PPA)

(Attention Career Fire Fighter Candidates: This information is provided by the City of Ithaca Human Resources/Civil Service Department. If you have questions regarding the content of this page, please contact them at (607) 274-6539)

[The content of this page was updated on November 30, 2000.]

Introduction:

The City of Ithaca Fire Department (IFD) wants to ensure that its Fire Fighters (FF) are physically capable of performing the arduous, physically demanding duties on the fireground. To accomplish this, IFD has developed a Physical Performance Assessment (PPA). The PPA is a reasonable measure of the tasks a FF may have to perform in an emergency situation. Anyone desiring an interior fire fighter position at IFD is required to pass the PPA. An outline explaining the PPA and all its stations will be provided to interior fire fighter candidates.

Safety Guidelines:

Participation in the PPA will be similar to a strenuous sporting event. This is a list of safety guidelines to follow for the PPA.

• Conditioning your body for a rigorous physical challenge takes time. A minimum of 6 to 8 weeks will be needed for a reasonably fit person to adequately prepare.

• There is a minimum of muscular strength that is required to complete some of the unavoidable, critical tasks on the PPA. It may take some people a long time, even years to develop enough muscular strength to accomplish this.

• A working knowledge of proper lifting techniques is essential because of the amount of equipment lifting required on the PPA. Improper lifting can cause injuries.

• While preparing for the PPA seek out the advice or council of a person certified in fitness training.

• Consult your physician if a predisposing medical condition exists, such as pregnancy, obesity, or any preexisting medical problems. Present a copy of the PPA to the physician, so a full assessment of the test-specific fitness level may be made.

• It is strongly recommended that participants not use drugs, controlled substances, alcohol, steroids, or any other harmful products before or after the PPA. If a candidate appears to be under the influence of drugs, controlled substances, alcohol, etc. he or she will not be permitted to participate in the test.

• Participants should not eat food immediately prior to the PPA.

• Participants should properly hydrate prior to PPA.

• Participants should do an adequate warm-up, to include muscle stretching, immediately before the PPA.

• IFD EMS personnel will monitor candidate's medical condition during the PPA.

• Throughout all events, the candidate must wear long pants, footwear with no open heel or toe, a hard hat with chin strap, and work gloves. (Helmet and gloves will be provided by IFD.) Watches and loose or restrictive jewelry are not permitted.

• If a participant has any questions about the PPA or safety guidelines contact the IFD. Prospective career fire fighters can also contact the City of Ithaca Human Resources/Civil Service Department.

Right to Terminate the Test:

The City of Ithaca Fire Department reserves the right to terminate the test at any time for emergency medical reasons.

If the test proctor believes the candidate has gone beyond his/her physical capabilities and is endangering him or herself, the test will be terminated and an emergency medical evaluation will be conducted.

Examples of these situations may include but are not limited to respiratory distress, inability to communicate, reduced level of consciousness, loss of the use of any extremity, unsteady gait, difficulty walking, blurry vision, chest pain, nausea, or vomiting.

If one or more of signs or symptoms of this type is observed, the test may be terminated.

PPA Test:

The PPA consists of 8 stations. A candidate will progress along a predetermined path from station to station in a continuous manner.

This is a pass/fail test based on successful completion within a maximum total time of eighteen (18) minutes.

The candidate wears a 50 pound (22.68 kg) vest to simulate the weight of the self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and the FF's protective clothing throughout the test.

Props and tools used during the PPA are actual equipment used at IFD and are chosen to provide the highest level of consistency, safety, and validity in measuring the candidate's physical ability.

To ensure the highest level of safety and to prevent candidates from becoming exhausted, no running is allowed, especially down stairs. Candidates will be given one verbal warning; the next infraction will cause test termination.

To ensure scoring accuracy by eliminating timer failure, two stopwatches are to be used, simultaneously, to time the PPA. One stopwatch is designated as the official test time stopwatch; the second as the backup stopwatch. If mechanical failure occurs the time on the backup stopwatch is used. If the elapsed time exceeds 18 minutes prior to the completion of all 8 stations, the test is concluded and the candidate fails the PPA.

Station 1: Stair Climb

EQUIPMENT

• Two 12.5 pound (5.67 kg) weights. (~25 pounds)

• "Irons" (Flat head ax and a halligan bar strapped together) (~16 pounds)

• Pressurized water can extinguisher. (~28 pounds)

• SCBA pack. (~20 pounds)

• Electric exhaust fan. (~49 pounds)

• 100 feet of 2 inch attack hose in a bundle. (~52 pounds)
 

PURPOSE OF EVALUATION

This station is designed to simulate the critical tasks of climbing stairs in full protective clothing while carrying FF equipment. This event challenges the candidate's aerobic capacity, lower body muscular endurance and ability to balance. This event affects the aerobic energy system as well as the following muscle groups: quadriceps, hamstrings, gluteus muscles, calves, lower back stabilizers, biceps, deltoids, upper back, trapezius, and muscles of the forearm and hand (grip).

EVENT

From the starting point near the stairs of the IFD rappel tower, participants will pick up six (6) pieces of equipment and carry them, one at a time, to the second floor of the rappel tower. Participants will carry the equipment up the stairs of the rappel tower to the second floor, cross the floor and touch the opposite wall, (NE corner). The candidate will then return that piece of equipment to the starting point. Candidates will walk back down to the starting point in a safe manner. Only one warning will be given about descending stairs in an unsafe manner; the second infraction will result in test termination. This sequence will be repeated until all six pieces of equipment have been carried. The equipment, approximate weights, and sequential order are listed above.

Station 2: Hoisting

EQUIPMENT

• A weight of approximately 33.5 pounds is attached to a utility rope.

PURPOSE OF EVALUATION

This station is designed to simulate the critical task of raising equipment to upper stories of a building using a rope. It is also a simulation of pulling on a rope to extend a ground ladder. This event challenges the aerobic capacity, upper body muscular strength, lower body muscular strength, balance, grip strength, and anaerobic endurance. This event affects the aerobic and anaerobic energy systems as well and the following muscle groups: biceps, deltoids, upper back, trapezius, muscles of the forearm and hand (grip), gluteus muscles, quadriceps, and hamstrings.

EVENT

From the starting point, candidates will ascend the rappel tower stairs to the third floor. Standing inside a marked box area on the floor, candidates will pull hand over hand on a utility rope. Candidates must not step outside the marked box. One warning will be given; the second infraction will constitute test termination. Candidate must raise the attached weight (~33.5 pounds) approximately 20 feet. The 20-foot mark is marked on the outside wall. When the weight reaches the mark a proctor will give a verbal signal. The candidate will then return the weight to the ground with a hand over hand motion. Only one warning will be given to candidates to lower the rope by a hand over hand motion. The next infraction will cause test termination. The candidate will then proceed down the rappel tower stairs, in a safe manner, to the starting point of station 3.

Station 3: Victim Rescue

EQUIPMENT

• Adult-Size Fire Service Rescue Mannequin

PURPOSE OF EVALUATION

This event is designed to simulate the critical task of removing a victim or injured partner from a fire scene. This event challenges the candidate's aerobic capacity, upper and lower body muscular strength and endurance, grip strength and endurance, and anaerobic endurance. This event affects the aerobic and anaerobic energy systems as well as the following muscle groups: quadriceps, hamstrings, gluteus muscles, abdominal muscles, torso rotators, lower back stabilizers, trapezius, deltoids, latissimus dorsi, biceps, and muscles of the forearm and hand (grip).

EVENT

Candidates will drag fire service rescue mannequin 100 feet. Approach victim from head. Grasp shoulders and raise torso to the vertical position from the waist. Then, while squatting close to the back of the victim, wrap arms around chest of victim. Lock hands and lift victim by standing. (NOTE: Use leg muscles not lower back.) Drag victim by walking backwards to 50 foot mark. The entire victim must be dragged across the 50 foot mark. Turn around and walk backwards back to initial position. Walk to station 4.

Station 4: Ladder Lift

EQUIPMENT

• 14 foot aluminum roof ladder, approximate weight is 30 pounds.

PURPOSE OF EVALUATION

This station is designed to simulate the task of removing a roof ladder from the side of a pumper truck. The height of the brackets is similar to the height of the brackets on a fire truck. FF's are expected to remove this item by themselves. This event challenges the aerobic capacity, upper body muscular strength, lower body muscular strength, balance, grip strength, and anaerobic endurance. This event affects the aerobic and anaerobic energy systems as well as the following muscle groups: biceps, deltoids, upper back, trapezius, muscles of the forearm and hand (grip), gluteus muscles, quadriceps, and hamstrings.

EVENT

Candidates will remove a 14-foot roof ladder from an overhead bracket. This bracket will be attached to the side of the training tower. Candidates will place the ladder on the ground, release their hand grip and stand upright. Candidates will then lift and return the ladder to the brackets. Walk to station 5.

Station 5: Ladder Climb

EQUIPMENT

• Properly placed fully-extended 24-foot extension ladder and prussic cord.

PURPOSE OF EVALUATION

This station is to check a candidate's ability to climb and work above the ground on a ladder. Untying and re-tying a knot is to simulate a FF's ability to do simple one hand free operations on a ladder. This event challenges the aerobic capacity, upper body muscular strength, lower body muscular strength, balance, grip strength, and anaerobic endurance. This event affects the aerobic and anaerobic energy systems as well and the following muscle groups: biceps, deltoids, upper back, trapezius, muscles of the forearm and hand (grip), gluteus muscles, quadriceps, and hamstrings.

EVENT

Candidates will climb a properly placed, fully-extended 24-foot extension ladder. At the top rung there will be a prussic cord with a girth hitch knot. (NOTE: A complete explanation of the prussic cord girth hitch and practice will be given prior to test.) Candidates will untie the rope and hold it at arm's length for test proctor to see. At proctor's signal re-tie girth hitch and descend ladder in a safe manner. Three points of contact (i.e. two feet and one hand) shall be maintained at all times. If the candidate drops the prussic cord during the operation the candidate will descend the ladder, retrieve the rope, re-ascend the ladder and continue the task as described above. Walk to station 6. If a candidate falls off the ladder emergency medical help will be given immediately, test is concluded, and candidate fails test.

Station 6: Forcible Entry

EQUIPMENT

• Railroad tie positioned on picnic table to simulate the height of a typical door. The picnic table will be located under the IFD Training Center pavilion.

• 8 pound sledgehammer.

PURPOSE OF EVALUATION

This event is designed to simulate the critical tasks of using force to open a locked door or to breach a wall. This event challenges the candidate's aerobic capacity, upper body muscular strength and endurance, lower body muscular strength and endurance, balance, grip strength and endurance, and anaerobic endurance. This event affects the aerobic and anaerobic energy systems as well as the following muscle groups: quadriceps, gluteus muscles, triceps, upper back, trapezius, and muscles of the forearm and hand (grip).

EVENT

Candidates will strike the end of railroad tie with the 8 pound sledgehammer and move the tie a predetermined distance, approximately 25 inches. Walk to station 7.

Station 7: Carry Evolution

EQUIPMENT

• "Humat" hydrant assist valve (~50 pounds)

• 50-feet of 5-inch supply hose.

PURPOSE OF EVALUATION

This station is designed to simulate the critical task of dragging an uncharged supply hoseline from the fire apparatus to a hydrant. This event challenges the candidate's aerobic capacity, upper body muscular strength and endurance, lower body muscular strength and endurance, balance, grip strength and endurance, and anaerobic endurance. This event affects the aerobic and anaerobic energy systems as well as the following muscle groups: quadriceps, hamstrings, gluteus muscles, calves, lower back stabilizers, biceps, deltoids, upper back, and muscles of the forearm and hand (grip).

EVENT

Candidates will pick up a hydrant assist valve with attached 50-feet of 5-inch supply hose dragging behind and carry it 60-feet. Walk to station 8.

Station 8: Hose Advance

EQUIPMENT

• 100-feet of 2-inch fire attack hose.

• TFT type automatic nozzle

• Hydrant to charge hoseline with water.

PURPOSE OF EVALUATION

This event is designed to simulate the critical task of dragging a charged hoseline from the fire apparatus to the fire. This event challenges the candidate's aerobic capacity, upper body muscular strength and endurance, lower body muscular strength and endurance, balance, grip strength and endurance, and anaerobic endurance. This event affects the aerobic and anaerobic energy systems as well as the following muscle groups: quadriceps, hamstrings, gluteus muscles, calves, lower back stabilizers, biceps, deltoids, upper back, and muscles of the forearm and hand (grip).

EVENT

Candidate will drag 100-feet of charged 2-inch attack hose 75-feet. When the candidate and nozzle cross the 75-foot mark the test time stopwatch will stop. The cumulative time will be recorded for data collecting purposes. If the test time stopwatch reaches 18:00 prior to this, the test is concluded and the candidate fails.

NOTES:

If a candidate fails to follow the procedures described above the test will be concluded and the candidate fails.

Participants should do a cool-down including muscle stretching and will receive a physical assessment immediately following the PPA. A subsequent physical assessment will be given 5 minutes later.

References:

Fire Service Joint Labor Management Wellness/Fitness Initiative

Candidate Physical Ability Test

NFPA 1583-A95 ROP

Recommended Practice for Fire Fighter Physical Performance and Conditioning Program

1995 Edition

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Department of Personnel Administration

Physical Performance Test for Fire Fighters

January 1994