Physical Agility Testing

Revised September 1997

The following is a brief description of the physical agility testing procedure used by The City of Norfolk. The test is not as easy as it reads. The test requires that you have upper body and leg strength. Individuals with poor upper body strength may have a difficult time passing this test and are advised to work on upper body and leg strength prior to taking the test. If you need assistance with preparation for the physical agility test please call our Training and Development Department at 1-757-441-5250.

Events listed below are performed wearing full turn out gear.

• JOIST WALK - Maximum Time Allowed - 60 seconds.

A 28' straight ladder is laid on the ground. The candidate will walk down the beams of the ladder until he/she reaches the end, then turn around and come back without losing balance. While doing the test, each candidate will carry a section of 2½" hose weighing around 35 pounds. The candidate will be in full turn out gear with a SCBA harness and bottle for a combined weight of 70 pounds.

• LADDER CARRY AND RAISE - Maximum Time Allowed - 90 seconds.

The candidate will remove a 14' roof ladder from the side of a fire engine and carry the ladder to a designated place. The candidate will then raise and climb the ladder while wearing full turn out gear, SCBA harness and bottle.

• STAIR CLIMB - Maximum Time Allowed - 60 seconds.

The candidate will pick up a bundle of hose consisting of two sections of 1¾" hose and nozzle and carry the hose to the second floor from the ground via a fire escape. The candidate will then be directed to place the hose in a prescribed place while wearing full turn out gear, SCBA harness and bottle.

• FORCIBLE ENTRY - Maximum Time Allowed - 30 seconds.

The candidate will be using an eight (8) pound maul. The candidate will swing the maul over his/her head stricking a railroad tie at least fifteen (15) times in 30 seconds. The candidate will be in full turn out gear, SCBA harness and bottle.

• HOSE DRAG/COUPLE - Maximum Time Allowed - 120 seconds.

The candidate will drag two (2) connected sections of 2½" hose and hook one end into a standpipe system. The candidate will then walk back and break the hose connection, carry the the copuling of the second section of 2½" hose to the standpipe and hook it to the standpipe. The candidate will be in full turn out gear, SCBA harness and bottle.

• HOSE PULL - Maximum Time Allowed - 120 seconds.

The candidate will pull two sections of 2½" hose attatched to a straight tip nozzel up through a third floor window, using hand over hand motion, not resting on the window. The candidate will be in full turn out gear, SCBA harness, mask, and breathing air from the bottle.

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