CPAT stands for Candidate Physical Ability Test. The CPAT is the Fire Service Joint Labor Management Wellness/Fitness Initiative Firefighter testing program. This physical ability testing process was engineered and is approved by the International Association of Fire Fighters, IAFF. Approved Fire Departments use the CPAT to assess the physical condition and abilities of potential candidates.

Not all fire departments give the actual CPAT test. The Department using the test must meet all the requirements of the test including training and preparation time for the candidate. As the candidate I can't stress enough to each of you to take advantage of these preparation opportunities. If you have never taken the CPAT test before you will find it is probably the toughest physical test out there.

The good news with the CPAT is most fire departments that use the CPAT will accept a validated CPAT testing completion form from other departments that use the CPAT testing process. What this means for you, the candidate, is you will probably only need to take the test once a year even though you may be applying with several departments.

The Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) consists of eight separate events. The CPAT is a sequence of events requiring you to progress along a predetermined path from event to event in a continuous manner. This test was developed to allow fire departments to obtain a pool of candidates who are physically able to perform essential job tasks at fire scenes.

The Eight events are: Stair Climb, Hose Drag, Equipment Carry, Ladder Raise and extension. Forcible Entry Simulation, Search Simulation, Rescue Simulation, Ceiling breach and Pull

The CPAT is a pass/fail test based on a maximum total time of 10 minutes and 20 seconds.

During the testing process the candidate wears a 50-pound vest to simulate the weight of self-contained breathing apparatus and fire fighter protective clothing. An additional 25 pounds, using two 12.5-pound weights that simulate a high-rise pack is added to your shoulders for the stair climb event.

Throughout all events the candidate must wear long pants, a hard hat with chin strap, work gloves and footwear with no open heel or toe.

All props were designed to obtain the necessary information regarding your physical ability. The tools and equipment were chosen to provide the highest level of consistency, safety and validity in measuring your physical abilities. While the course layout may vary in order to conform to the fire department's test area, the events and distances between events are always the same.

The events are placed in a sequence that best simulates fire scene events while allowing an 85-foot walk between events. To ensure the highest level of safety and to prevent exhaustion, no running is allowed between events. This walk allows you approximately 20 seconds to recover and regroup before each event.

To ensure scoring accuracy two stopwatches are used to time the CPAT. One stopwatch is designated as the official test time stopwatch, the second is the backup stopwatch. The stopwatches are set to the pass/fail time and count down from 10 minutes and 20 seconds. If time elapses prior to the completion of the test, the test is concluded and you fail the test.

Yes, it tough, but so is the job as a Firefighter. It's a must that Fire Departments hire well qualified Firefighters. By being prepared for the CPAT makes the testing process much easier.