Annual Physical Work Capacity Test

No doubt, an annual physical test of a firefighter's health, stamina, and general physical ability is good practice.  The test, called the work capacity test, pushes the firefighter's heart to its capacity, stretches muscles to their maximum load, and requires significant lung work.  Most of us hack for a couple of days afterward! 

Geared up in bunker gear, air tank, helmet and gloves, the firefighter starts at the far end of the course, pulling an in-charged fire house 200 feet.  The hose is dropped and a hose pack picked up, thrown over a shoulder, as the firefighter commences a three story climb up the training tower.  Thighs screaming, lungs aching for air, the firefighter reaches the top of the tower, sets the hose pack down and pulls up a rolled fire house to the top of the tower, then hand over hand, lowers it to the ground.

Descending back down the training tower, the firefighter has a brief opportunity to recover.  As soon as ground is hit, the Keiser sled is next.  Climbing on the rails, the firefighter takes a sledge hammer and pounds a weight down the sled.  Once achieved, a walk across the course to a ladder which is picked up and carried to the tower, erected, and then replaced on the ground.

The last task is to pull a 185 pound tire down the course and return (uphill) to the finish line.  At this point, the firefighter is in a breathless state, tugging and pulling and putting out the maximum output. 

Finished!  For another year!!

Janet expresses her great joy for this test!!