HANCEVILLE, Ala. – Hanceville Fire & Rescue is a testing site for the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) course, the first step toward becoming a firefighter. The department was a happening place on July 3, with 26 attendees there to take the test. Some traveled from as far as Memphis, Nashville, Atlanta, Chattanooga and Albuquerque.
The Department hosts monthly CPAT rotations, typically the first Friday of each month. There are only four departments in the state that run monthly rotations; others run occasionally or seasonally.
Assistant Chief Bart Absher gave a full rundown of what the participants would have to endure. The first thing was the stair stepper. Absher said they got a 20-second warm-up, where they could touch the handrails and get a good feel of it. “They have to wear a 75-pound vest” Absher explained, “so, after that warm-up they have to let go of the hand rails; they can only hold onto their vest.” The stair stepper was 60 steps a minute.
After it’s over they are freed from 25 pounds. And then, it’s off to the next round, where they are tasked with the hose drag, tool carries and ladder raises. They also have to drag a dummy that’s approximately 160 pounds of dead weight.
“Everything is designed to be a fire department entity,” said Absher, “pulling hose, pulling people, carrying tools from the truck back and forth.” There was even a maze they had to crawl through, “and then the big white maze out there; it’s got obstacles inside. They have to go over, under, around and then they’ll come out and do the rest of the course.” They were also tasked with a ceiling breach and pull which was the last thing on the to-do list. “So, it’s teaching them how to pull ceilings and it’s also weighted.”
Hanceville was sitting at 94 degrees with 90% humidity on July 3, with the pressure high, carrying an extra 75 pounds and only 10 minutes to complete the course.
Prospects must pass the CPAT in order to become a firefighter. According to the Alabama Fire College, “As prescribed by the Alabama Fire College and Personnel Standards and Education Commission (AFC & PSEC), job-related physical performance requirements shall be used to select inherently physically capable individuals to be trained as fire fighters. Therefore, the firefighter candidate shall successfully complete the IAFF/IAFC Fire Service Joint Labor Management Wellness/Fitness Initiative Program-Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) prior to entering a minimum standards course for Fire Fighter I/II, Fire Fighter I/II Bridge, and Fire Fighter I Recertification (based on initial FFI requirements).”
For a more in-depth look at CPAT, visit www.alabamafirecollege.org/courses-aining/student-resources/cpat.
Get more details at Facebook/Hanceville Fire & Rescue CPAT course.
Jonathan Crumpton (left), Lt. Kaleb Jones (middle) and Vincent Fanelli (right) (Emily McMunn/The Cullman Tribune)
