by David Schneider

Created on: February 18, 2009

The process of becoming a Firefighter can be a long and arduous process. The process usually begins with a strong desire to be a part of something that is larger than the career itself. To be part of the Fire Service is to want to join a career steeped in tradition and progressing with ever-changing technology. You must be passionate about this career in order to find success within the tight confines of this worldwide brotherhood.

Let's delve into this world of Firefighting and what it actually takes to succeed here. The first area, we should explore are the requirements to be accepted into an accredited Fire Academy in order to receive the basic firefighting skills required in order to obtain a position as a Professional Firefighter. Physical fitness is one key factor that we will explore and as you will see it is almost a necessity in order to pass any entrance exam. Firefighting is very physical work and requires a certain level of cardio-respiratory fitness in order to complete tasks on the fire-ground, and this would be before any actual firefighting or rescue of people. Also required would be the ability to remain calm during highly stressful and chaotic situations.

The long process will usually start with an application to the State Fire Academy of your choice. Sometimes a local fire department may sponsor individuals to go through the training or training may come at an expense to the individual seeking the training. After the application is complete, the candidate will usually complete one of many forms of an aptitude type of exam, this exam may be similar to something the military may administer prior to enlistment in the armed forces. Upon completion of such an exam, the candidate would then be scheduled for the Physical Ability Test. This test would consist of tasks and activities that would closely resemble the abilities required during actual firefighting.

The physical ability test generally consists of the following, with slight variations from state to state. The candidate will ascend actual stairwell or stairs like in the form of a Stairmaster approx.4-5 floor with some type of a hose-load over the shoulder and while wearing a weighted vest. Upon reaching the designated floor, the candidate will unload the hose-load from his/her shoulder and proceed to hoist an object weighing approx. 50lbs through a open window on the designated floor. The candidate will then pickup the hose-load and proceeds down the stairwell to the ground landing, placing

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