Firefighting Task Course

During the Firefighting Task Course you may be required to complete some or all of the tasks (listed below) in succession, walking from one task to the next. You will be required to wear structural Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including coat, over-trousers, lightweight helmet, general purpose gloves and non-operational Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (without face mask). Exceptions to this occur during the Ladder Climb where you do not wear the breathing apparatus and the Tunnel Crawl where you will be required to wear a frosted face mask.

All tasks must be completed continuously, with correct manual handling techniques and whilst maintaining a safe and stable posture. You will be deemed to fail the Task Course if you fail to do so.

1. Ladder climb*

Test Focus

Acrophobia (fear of heights); leg strength; coordination.

Description

Whilst wearing a safety harness, you are required to climb a 10.5m extension ladder to the second level of the training tower, dismount over the railing onto the landing, remount the ladder and return to ground level.

Pass Criteria

You must climb the ladder one rung at a time, dismount at the top maintaining 3 points of contact (i.e. do not jump), remount the ladder and return to ground level safely.

Demonstration video: Ladder climb test (MPG, 4.5MB)

2. Hose coupling

Test Focus

Manual dexterity; mechanical reasoning.

Description

You are required to remove/disconnect the couplings from the stand, place them in a bag and then reconnect the couplings according to their thread. There will be three different types of couplings: a male/female coarse thread; male/female fine thread; and a Stortz coupling.

Pass Criteria

You must correctly identify and reconnect the three different couplings and not attempt to connect incorrect threads.

Demonstration video (preview only): Hose coupling test (MPG, 1.3MB)

3. Ladder raise and lower

Test Focus

Upper body muscular strength and endurance (concentric and eccentric).

Description

You are required to raise a 10.5 metre extendable ladder (not extended) to a vertical position and then lower the ladder to the ground. The foot of the ladder will be attached to a rotating bracket on the ground.

Pass Criteria

The ladder must be raised one rung at a time at a safe and consistent pace. The ladder must be well controlled at all times, not make contact with your helmet at any time and must not be rested on any part of your body. Correct manual handling techniques and a safe and stable posture must be maintained at all times.

Demonstration video: Ladder raise and lower test (MPG, 3.7MB)

4. Tunnel crawl

Test Focus

Claustrophobia (fear of being in narrow or confined spaces); coordination; ability to operate in dark confined spaces.

Description

With a frosted face mask fitted, you are required to crawl through a tunnel, approximately 15m in length, and exit the tunnel at the end. The face mask will then be removed for 10 seconds, replaced, then you must re-enter the tunnel and crawl in the opposite direction, back to the starting position.

Pass Criteria

You must be able to complete both circuits of the tunnel in the direction stipulated. You must move at a consistent and safe pace and not remove the face mask throughout the crawl unless told to do so.

Demonstration video (preview only): Tunnel crawl test (MPG, 4.2MB)

5. Beam walk

Test Focus

Balance; agility; coordination.

Description

Carrying standard bolt cutters, you are required to walk forwards along a balance beam for 2.5m, make a 180o turn, and then walk backwards for the remaining 2.5m (5m total beam length).

Pass Criteria

You have two attempts to successfully walk the length of the beam. You must walk both forwards and backwards as specified, with your hips square to the beam at all times. A safe and stable posture must be maintained at all times.

Demonstration video: Beam walk test (MPG, 1.4MB)

6. Chain cutting

Test Focus

Upper body muscular strength, power and endurance.

Description

You are required to cut through an 8mm galvanised chain link one side at a time.

Pass Criteria

You must be able to cut through the chain in a maximum of two cuts: one either side of the link. One hand must be on each handle at all times during the cutting.

Demonstration video: Chain cutting test (MPG, 3.1MB)

7. Hose reel drag*

Test Focus

Upper and lower body muscular strength, power and endurance.

Description

You are required to take a 25mm high pressure hose from the back of the Appliance (fire truck), drag the hose in a straight line towards a 20m barrier, turn 45 degrees around the barrier and drag the hose a further 10m to a 1m by 1m marked square. Following placement of the branch on the ground, you are required to stand in the square, turn around, and pull in a further 10m of hose.

Pass Criteria

You must be able to drag the hose the required 30m and pull in a further 10m of hose. Correct manual handling techniques and a safe and stable posture must be maintained at all times.

Demonstration video: Hose reel drag test (MPG, 4.0MB)

8. Hose drag and hold

Test Focus

Upper and lower body muscular strength and endurance.

Description

You are required to drag a charged 38mm hose for 10m to a designated 1m by 1m marked square. Standing in this square you are to open the branch and then direct the flow for 4 x 30 second holds at 2 different targets (30 seconds at target A, 30 seconds at Target B, then repeat) and then slowly close the branch.

Pass Criteria

You must be able to drag the hose the required 10 metres. You must be able to open the branch and direct the flow at the nominated targets for the required duration, whilst remaining in the 1m by 1m square. Correct manual handling techniques and stable and safe posture must be maintained at all times.

Demonstration video: Hose drag and hold test (MPG, 2.7MB)

9. Tower climb and container haul*

Test Focus

Cardiovascular fitness; upper and lower body strength, power and endurance.

Description

You must pick up a 12kg High Rise Pack from the base of the tower and proceed to the third level balcony where the High Rise Pack is to be placed at the top of the stairs. With your head and hands over the edge, you are required to haul a 10kg drum to the top of the balcony, lift the drum over the rail and place it safely on the floor.

Pass Criteria

Holding onto the railing, you must successfully climb the stairs one at a time. The drum must be hauled to the third floor using the hand over hand method in a continuous upward movement. Once the drum has reached the edge of the balcony, you must reach over and take the drum by the handle and place it on the floor. Correct manual handling techniques and stable and safe posture must be maintained at all times.

Demonstration video: Tower climb and container haul test (MPG, 5.4MB)

10. Tower climb and visual recognition

Test Focus

Cardiovascular fitness; lower body muscular endurance; acrophobia.

Description

Once the Drum Haul is complete, you must pick up the High Rise Pack and climb the stairs to the sixth floor of the tower. Place the High Rise Pack on the ground and ascend the ladder to the seventh floor. You are then required to walk straight ahead to the edge of the tower, look over the balcony, and identify the three objects on the flashcards placed on the ground directly below. After informing the assessor of the objects on the flashcards, you are to descend the ladder to the sixth floor, pick up the High Rise Pack and descend the stairs to ground level. The task is completed once you have reached ground level and the High Rise Pack has been placed on the ground at the base of the tower.

Pass Criteria

You must ascend and descend the stairs (with the High Rise Pack) and ladder one step at a time in a safe and constant manner. You must be able to look over the edge of the balcony and correctly identify the three objects.

Demonstration video: Tower climb and visual recognition test (MPG, 6.6MB)

11. Firefighter rescue*

Test Focus

Whole body functional strength, endurance and power; aerobic and anaerobic capacity.

Description

You are required to safely lift and drag/carry a dummy (approximately 90 kg) around a square course, 20m in length.

Pass Criteria

You must be able to lift and drag/carry the dummy around the 20m course, clearing all four barriers. You must not drop the dummy. Correct manual handling techniques and a safe and stable posture must be maintained at all times.

Demonstration video: Firefighter rescue test (MPG, 5.1MB)

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