Physical Fitness, TOAC and CPAT
It goes without saying that firefighters must be physically fit in order to do the job. The typical weight of turnout gear with a cylinder is 80 pounds. Now add in any hand tools that firefighters carry not to mention a charged hose line, ladders etc.... and it’s easy to see why being in shape in paramount. Of course, being in shape is relative to each firefighter and involves A LOT of factors. Adequate exercise, proper nutrition and even proper management of health issues such as diabetes are all part of keeping yourself ready to do the job when called upon.
Because being physically prepared is so varied from firefighter to firefighter and from firehouse to firehouse instead of discussing how to stay in shape this article will focus on training benchmarks. The first is the Task Oriented Air Consumption (TOAC). For both volunteers and career firefighters this is one of the first yardsticks to measure whether or not someone will be a successful firefighter. This is solely due to the fact that candidates will be wearing a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and “on air” which for some can be a daunting experience.
TOAC usually starts out by having prospective firefighters participate in a “breathe down” which is simply wearing an SCBA and breathing normally while simply walking in a low stress environment. This is done to get firefighters used to breathing with an SCBA and attached regulator but also to measure how long it takes a firefighter to use all the air within a cylinder to gauge and possibly change how to correctly breathe through an SCBA.
On the day of the TOAC test every firefighter will first meet with an EMT to have their vitals checked. Because there is a real health and physical injury risk any vital sign outside the acceptable range will result in not taking the exam – PERIOD! Each firefighter will also meet to have their vitals checked after completion of the eight stages.
Here are the TOAC stages in order:
Hose Carry – carrying a 50 ft long high-rise pack (2.5in) up three flights of stairs.
Hose stretch/pull – pulling a 50 ft hose line (1.75in) 75ft and pulling a same size hose line 50 ft around a stationary object
Tool Lift/Carry – taking tools off a shelf and walking them back and forth 75 ft and putting them back on a shelf
Ladder Raise – Raising a ladder using the halyard in a hand over hand fashion
Forcible Entry – Using a sledgehammer striking a tire ten times
Search – Enter a maze and using a left- or right-handed search navigate 65 ft in the dark with obstacles
Rescue – Drag a 165lb mannequin 75ft
Ceiling Breach/Pull – Push up 60lbs (3x) and pull down 80lbs (5x) using a pike pole – 2 sets
Each firefighter has a shadow that walks along to ensure their safety, monitor their air and provide positive encouragement along the way. Here is the link to the Erie County (NY) TOAC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRo2SnrR9cg and this link is for the worksheet used when taking the exam: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1Wi_EgrgI3h05CO5lEUFzYy9xjHs4nUzJ
The second physical fitness litmus test is generally reserved for those firefighters that have chosen to make the fire service their career. The Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) certainly lives up to its name. Like TOAC the tasks for each are laid out in the order a firefighter can expect to have to complete them from arrival time on the fireground. The CPAT also has eight stages but they are not 100% identical.
Here are the CPAT stages in order:
Stair Climb – With an additional 25lbs (75lbs total) candidates have to walk a stair mill. The first 20 seconds are a warmup at 50 stairs/min at which time candidates can hold the handrail. Once the three-minute climb starts the rate is increased to 60 stairs/min and the handrail cannot be used.
Hose Pull – Pulling a 1.75 in hose line 200ft. navigating around a barrel. This is the ONLY stage where a candidate can run.
Tool Lift/Carry – taking tools off a shelf and walking them back and forth 75 ft and putting them back on a shelf
Ladder Raise – Raising a 24ft ladder using the halyard in a hand over hand fashion
Forcible Entry – Using a sledgehammer to hit a device until a buzzer/light is set off
Search - Enter a dark maze with obstacles
Rescue - Drag a 165lb mannequin 35ft.
Ceiling Breach/Pull - Push up 60lbs (3x) and pull down 80lbs (5x) using a pike pole – 4 sets
An important note – The stair climb lasts three minutes and twenty seconds while all other stages are one minute in duration. Running is not permitted with the exception of the hose pull event. There are 85 ft between each event. See this link for a more detailed video description: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wh3EoE1yJnQ
While the TOAC emphasizes completing firefighter tasks while breathing through an SCBA, the CPAT simply underscores a firefighter’s physical ability to complete common firefighter tasks. This is distinguished in that the TOAC is not timed whereas the CPAT is a strict 10 min and 20 seconds. Another difference is with TOAC you are wearing full turnout gear while in CPAT the required PPE is a helmet, gloves and long pants with a 50lb weight vest simulating the weight of turnout gear.
There are also similarities between the two not only in the events but in the administration of the test. For starters the firefighter/candidate will have an EMT take their vitals taken before and after the test, will also have an escort to monitor any potential health concerns, ensure the parameters of the test are adhered to and also to provide positive encouragement.
The best advice for TOAC is simply RELAX and breathe! You will do great if you stay calm with the SCBA attached. As far as the CPAT having failed and then passed the difference was training on a stair mill with weights. The rest of CPAT is easy if you have your “sea legs” after the stair mill. Good Luck and stay safe!
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