Fire Rescue Department Training

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Firefighter Training Requirements

Interested in becoming a firefighter? Learn about the training requirements needed to prepare for a career with the Demopolis Fire Rescue Department.

demopolis fire rescue training center

Candidate Physical Ability Test - $80

Test to qualify for Firefighter. Held every 2nd and 4th Friday at 8:00 a.m.
Register online, pay course fee upon arrival.

CPR Training - $40

Held every 1st and 3rd Friday at 8:00 a.m. upon request.
Register online, pay course fee upon arrival.

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  • Test to Qualify for Firefighter

Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT)

The Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) is a standardized assessment that measures the physical skills required to perform the essential duties of a firefighter. Completing the CPAT helps ensure candidates have the strength, endurance, and agility needed to safely and effectively respond to emergency situations.

Event 1: Stair Climb
For this event, you must wear two 12.5-pound (5.67-kg) weights on your shoulders to simulate the weight of a high-rise pack. Prior to the initiation of the timed CPAT, there is a 20-second warm-up on the Step Mill at a set stepping rate of 50 steps per minute. During this warm-up period, you are permitted to dismount, grasp the rail or hold the wall to establish balance and cadence. If you fall or dismount the Step Mill during the 20-second warm-up period, you must remount the Step Mill and restart the entire 20-second warm-up period. You are allowed to restart the warm-up period twice. The timing of the test begins at the end of this warm-up period when the proctor who calls the word “START.” There is no break in time between the warm-up period and the actual timing of the test. For the test, you must walk on the Step Mill at a set stepping rate of 60 steps per minute for 3 minutes. This concludes the event. The two 12.5-pound (5.67-kg) weights are removed from your shoulders. Walk 85 feet (25.91 m) within the established walkway to the next event.
Event 2: Hose Drag
For this event, you must grasp a hoseline nozzle attached to 200 feet (60 m) of 1 3/4-inch (44-mm) hose. Place the hoseline over your shoulder or across your chest, not exceeding the 8-foot (2.24-m) mark. You are permitted to run during the hose drag. Drag the hose 75 feet (22.86 m) to a pre-positioned drum, make a 90° turn around the drum, and continue an additional 25 feet (7.62 m). Stop within the marked 5 foot x 7 foot (1.52 m x 2.13 m) box, drop to at least one knee and pull the hoseline until the hoseline’s 50-foot (15.24-m) mark crosses the finish line. During the hose pull, you must keep at least one knee in contact with the ground and knee(s) must remain within the marked boundary lines. This concludes the event. Walk 85 feet (25.91 m) within the established walkway to the next event.
Event 3: Equipment Carry
For this event, you must remove the two saws from the tool cabinet, one at a time, and place them on the ground. Pick up both saws, one in each hand, and carry them while walking 75 feet (22.86 m) around the drum, then back to the starting point. You are permitted to place the saw(s) on the ground and adjust your grip. Upon return to the tool cabinet, place the saws on the ground, pick up each saw one at a time, and replace the saw in the designated space in the cabinet. This concludes the event. Walk 85 feet (25.91 m) within the established walkway to the next event.
Event 4: Larry Raise & Extension
For this event, you must walk to the top rung of the 24-foot (7.32-m) aluminum extension ladder, lift the unhinged end from the ground, and walk it up until it is stationary against the wall. This must be done in a hand over hand fashion, using each rung until the ladder is stationary against the wall. You must not use the ladder rails to raise the ladder. Immediately proceed to the pre-positioned and secured 24-foot (7.32-m) aluminum extension ladder, stand with both feet within the marked box of 36 inches x 36 inches (91.44 cm x 91.44 cm), and extend the fly section hand over hand until it hits the stop. Then, lower the fly section hand over hand in a controlled fashion to the starting position. This concludes the event. Walk 85 feet (25.91 m) within the established walkway to the next event.
Event 5: Forcible Entry
For this event, you must use a 10-pound (4.54-kg) sledgehammer to strike the measuring device in the target area until the buzzer is activated. During this event, you must keep your feet outside the toe-box at all times. After the buzzer is activated, place the sledgehammer on the ground. This concludes the event. Walk 85 feet (25.91 m) within the established walkway to the next event.
Event 6: Search
For this event, you must crawl through a tunnel maze that is approximately 3 feet (91.44 cm) high, 4 feet (121.92 cm) wide and 64 feet (19.51 m) in length with two 90° turns. At a number of locations in the tunnel, you must navigate around, over and under obstacles. In addition, at two locations, you must crawl through a narrowed space where the dimensions of the tunnel are reduced. Your movement is monitored through the maze. If for any reason, you choose to end the event, call out or rap sharply on the wall or ceiling and you will be assisted out of the maze. Upon exit from the maze, the event is concluded. Walk 85 feet (25.91 m) within the established walkway to the next event.
Event 7: Rescue
For this event, you must grasp a 165-pound (74.84-kg) mannequin by the handle(s) on the shoulder(s) of the harness (either one or both handles are permitted), drag it 35 feet (10.67 m) to a pre-positioned drum, make a 180° turn around the drum, and continue an additional 35 feet (10.67 m) to the finish line. You are not permitted to grasp or rest on the drum. It is permissible for the mannequin to touch the drum. You are permitted to drop and release the mannequin and adjust your grip. The entire mannequin must be dragged until it crosses the marked finish line. This concludes the event. Walk 85 feet (25.91 m) within the established walkway to the next event.
Event 8: Ceiling Breach & Pull
For this event, you must remove the pike pole from the bracket, stand within the boundary established by the equipment frame, and place the tip of the pole on the painted area of the hinged door in the ceiling. Fully push up the 60-pound hinged door in the ceiling with the pike pole three times. Then, hook the pike pole to the 80-pound ceiling device and pull the pole down five times. Each set consists of three pushes and five pulls. Repeat the set four times. You are permitted to stop and, if needed, adjust your grip. Releasing your grip or allowing the pike pole handle to slip, without the pike pole falling to the ground, does not result in a warning or constitute a failure. You are permitted to re-establish your grip and resume the event. If you do not successfully complete a repetition, the proctor calls out “MISS” and you must push or pull the apparatus again to complete the repetition. This event and the total test time ends when you complete the final pull stroke repetition as indicated by a proctor who calls out “TIME.”
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