Murphy Fire Department Physical Performance Assessment

The PPA is a test designed to assess the physical ability of department members and persons seeking employment with the Murphy Fire Department.  It consists of nine events which simulate fire ground activities.  All events are to be completed in succession without rest and at maximum effort of the member or candidate.  The assessment is a pass/fail evolution but will be timed for the purpose of evaluation of potential employees.  Running during the assessment is not permitted.

All persons taking the test will wear turnout coat, gloves, helmet, SCBA and shorts/pants and shoes of choice.  With the exception of the first event, the remainder of the assessment will be completed while breathing air from SCBA.  Members or candidates that run out of air prior to completion of the assessment shall disconnect the regulator from the mask and complete the assessment with mask in place.  SCBA bottles will be considered “full” if the gauge on the bottle reads 3800 psi or higher.  All persons taking the test will begin with “full” bottles.  Members or candidates will also be required to carry a tool during all events.  The assessment will not be considered complete until all events are completed and member or candidate crosses finish line with tool.

1. Stair Climb
2. Five inch hose hand lay
3. Ladder climb
4. Equipment carry
5. Charged 1 ¾ hand line advance
6. Ceiling pull simulator
7. Roof ladder remove, carry and set
8. Ventilation / Forcible entry simulator
9. Victim / FF rescue drag

 

1. The stair climb is used to raise the Firefighter’s (FF) heart rate simulating access to upper level stadium areas and upper floors on scene of a working incident.  It is the only event that does not require the FF to be wearing SCBA mask and breathing air.  It will consist of twenty repetitions.  One repetition will be considered complete when the FF walks to the top landing then returns to the starting point.  Immediately upon completion of the twentieth repetition the FF will remove helmet, don mask, replace helmet and secure chin strap, go on air and proceed to the second event.  Use of the handrail is permitted and you cannot skip stairs.
2. The five inch hand lay simulates hand laying a five inch supply line from the engine to the plug.  FF will advance a flaked five inch line from starting point to spray painted line and place stortz connection on the ground (app. 130 ft). 
3. The ladder climb is used to assess FF’s ability to safely climb and descend a ground ladder.  FF will climb ladder to top and touch top of building parapet with one hands then descend to the ground.
4. The equipment carry assesses FF’s upper body strength and endurance.  The ability to carry heavy equipment on the foreground and extrication scenes is a vital function.  FF will pick up and carry two five gallon buckets of firefighting foam app 100 ft. and place them on the blue marks.
5. The advancing of a charged hose lines is necessary to fire suppression activities.  FF will advance 100 ft of charged 1 ¾” attack line to the marked point in the middle of the parking lot then turn to the left and advance to the marked point near the building and lay nozzle on the ground.
6. The ceiling pull simulates the removal of building materials by interior and or exterior crews in order to access deep seated fires in void spaces and attics and to simulate overhaul activities.  FF will grasp closet hook with both hands at marks indicated by tape and from a kneeling position will complete twenty pulls.  The hook will be pulled to either side of the body and one pull will be considered complete when the butt of the handle of the hook strikes the ground.
7. The carrying and setting of ground ladders is necessary for rescue and ventilation operations.  FF will remove the roof ladder from an engine and carry it app 30 ft. then set the ladder to the building in a controlled and safe manner after observing for overhead obstructions.  The ladder will be set at the proper angle for climbing (app. 75 degree angle).
8. The ventilation / forcible entry simulator assesses the FF’s ability to use a striking tool in a controlled manner such as would be used in vertical ventilation with an axe or forcible entry using the irons.  FF will strike a tire 30 times with a sledge hammer in a controlled and safe manner.  Sledge hammer must be extended above the plane of the shoulder with each strike.
9. The victim / FF rescue drag assesses FF’s ability to remove civilian and/or fire department victims from hazardous areas.  FF will drag rescue dummy app 50 ft. using a tool placed through the straps of the scba that will be on the dummy.

 

The PPA will be demonstrated for all applicants by MFD personnel prior to administration of assessment and a test proctor will accompany each person taking the assessment.  The proctor accompanying the FF will provide direction as needed during the assessment but it is the FF’s responsibility to:
 

1. Complete the assessment under their own power without help
2. Carry the provided tool from start to finish without reminder.
3. Audibly state the observance of overhead obstructions in event 7.
4. Complete assessment at a steady pace without rest.

Failure of FF to adhere to above stated responsibilities with result in test failure.   Further, any FF that cannot complete the test due to a medical problem such as chest pain, dizziness, nausea/vomiting or other medically related complaint, must Immediately notify the MFD proctor so that medical treatment may be administered.  Any FF that cannot complete the test due to a medical problem will be required to provide documentation of medical clearance by a medical doctor before they will be returned to duty or allowed to continue with the employment process and then only with the successful completion of the PPA.