Candidate Information
This section outlines what is required by Cork City Fire Brigade at the time of recruitment. This is not a job advertisement - it is for information purposes only .
- The Recruit Selection Test Process
- Physical Fitness Requirements and Test for Prospective Recruits
- Components of General Physical Fitness Assessment (including Sample Exercise Session)
- General Measurements
- Work Related Tests.
- Preparing for Your Selection Day(s)
- Ability Range Test
The Recruitment Selection Test Process
The following are the steps of the selection process. Each stage must be passed before moving to the next and all stages have to be successfully completed before a candidate can be offered employment. A shortlisting process may be applied at each stage. It is advised that on no account should candidates who are in existing employment resign until a contract of Employment has been issued.
Phase One
Application form
On receipt of an application form the potential candidates compliance with the (basic) requirements to join the Fire Service are checked and verified.
Phase Two
Ability range tests}
Phase Three
Physical fitness tests} See information pack for details.
Work Related Tests} See information pack for details.
Phase Four
Interview
Candidates who reach this stage will be required to complete a more detailed application form and submit it to the City Council within time limits imposed by the Council.
Phase Five
Medical Applicants must be able to satisfy the Brigade’s Medical Doctor that they are in general good health and have the potential to maintain minimum fitness standards for the duration of their careers.
Applicants will be required to undergo:-
- Chest x-ray
- Eye sight test
- Colour perception test
After successful completion of phases One- Five, candidates will be offered employment. They will be sent on a basic recruits course. This course will last ten weeks and may take place outside the state. The recruit must be able to make continual and satisfactory progress to pass the written, oral and practical tests set at intervals throughout this period. The training is varied and demanding and covers such subjects as basic equipment handling , breathing apparatus, first aid, hydraulics, chemistry, physics, building construction, administration and basic fire safety. Candidates who do not satisfactorily complete the basic recruits course will have their employment terminated.
Candidates who successfully complete the basic recruits course will be posted to an operational Fire Station as part of the operational team and will attend fires and other emergencies. The probationary period lasts one year from the date of appointment. Throughout the remainder of this year, recruits will be required to undergo and successfully complete a number of specialist operational training courses as follows:-
| (1) | Road Traffic Accident Course | (1 week) |
| (2) | Pump Operator Course | (1 week) |
| (3) | Hazardous Materials Course | (1 week) |
| (4) | Emergency Medical First Responder Course | (1 week) |
| (5) | Confined Space/Line Rescue Course | (1 week) |
| (6) | Swift-water Rescue Technician Course | (1 week) |
| (7) | HGV Driver Training | (1 week) |
| (8) | End of Probation Year Consolidation Training | (2 weeks) |
Again, the Probationer must demonstrate progress in practical skills and technical knowledge and pass an end of probation practical, oral and written tests and a medical examination to secure permanent appointment.
Physical Fitness Requirements and Test for Prospective Recruits
The work of a Firefighter is demanding, both physically and mentally. Training for the role is equally demanding, both physically and mentally. Training for the role is equally demanding. Successful applicants who go on to be recruits at the Service Training Centre have to take in a considerable amount of Theoretical and practical information over a 16 week period of training, all of which is continually monitored by written, oral and practical examinations. In addition, a high level of all round fitness needs to be achieved and maintained, not only whilst at the Training Centre but throughout a service career.
As part of the recruitment process all candidates who successfully complete the ability range tests will be asked to undertake a fitness assessment designed to satisfy the Brigade that they are fit and strong enough to undertake the vigorous, recruit training courses and also to determine whether they are physically capable of performing the everyday tasks with ladders, hoses and other equipment which are essential for all Firefighters.
This document will give you an indication of the nature of the tests you may have to undergo during the selection process to satisfy us that you have the necessary attributes for a successful career on the Fire Service. You may wish to seek medical advice or advice from a fitness professional in respect of suitable training regimes which can assist you in reaching the required standards. All tests are job specific and have two purposes.
1. To give the Fire Service a measure of your potential.
2. To give you a personal experience of the nature of the Firefighters role which will help you decide whether it is a career you wish to follow.
All Candidates are strongly advised to begin their preparation for the physical tests at the earliest opportunity, given that the effects of training upon strength and endurance are cumulative and are often only evident after several weeks.
Any candidate who does not reach the required standard in the physical tests will not be allowed to proceed further in the competition..
Components of General Physical Fitness Assessment
Aerobic Endurance
- The term aerobic endurance is now used to describe cardio (heart), vascular (blood vessels) respiratory (lungs) and muscular endurance, and refers to the ability of the body to maintain an adequate supply of oxygen to the working muscles, thereby enabling the muscles convert substrates (blood glucose, muscle glycogen and fat) into energy to facilitate movement.
- A good level of aerobic endurance enables a person in a physically demanding occupation to maintain a high work rate throughout their demanding tasks and also facilitates good recovery during rest periods. Good Aerobic fitness also helps to reduce the likelihood of fatigue-induced injuries.
- Aerobic endurance is measured in the laboratory setting using on-line gas analysis and the result is expressed as the maximum amount of oxygen that can be used by the body in litres per minute (VO2.L.min-1), and also millilitres of oxygen per kilogram of body weight per minute (VO2.ml.kg-1.min-1).
- The 20msrt is a field-based assessment of your aerobic endurance and the result is expressed in laps or levels achieved. The 20-meter shuttle run test, is a test used to measure the cumulative effect of gradual increases in speed on your ability to supply oxygen to the working muscles. You are required to run 20meter laps to a set pace, which increases every minute until you cannot keep up with the pace.
- Training for aerobic endurance should include some regular (3-5 days/week) exercise such as jogging, cycling, swimming, rowing and power walking for approx 20-60 mins/day.
Body Composition
- Body composition is the term used to describe the physical make up of your body. Your body is made up of two types of weight.
1. Lean Body Mass is your functional weight and includes bone, muscle, organs and blood.
2. Fat Weight - this is the bodies’ major store of energy. Approximately 5% of total body weight in males, and 10% in females is composed of essential fat. This is necessary for conducting normal physiological processes in the body. - The ideal PERCENTAGE BODY FAT for general health in males is less than 18%, and less than 27% for females. An excess of body-fat will decrease your endurance and increase your risk of hypo-kinetic disease (coronary artery disease, adult-onset diabetes, back and joint pain).
- Body Mass Index (BMI) is your height to weight ratio and is a general indicator of your body composition. A healthy BMI should be within the range of 23-26 kgs/m2, (highly trained athletes may present with higher BMI due to increased muscular development).
- Attention to a proper balanced diet, adequate hydration and consistent systematic aerobic training will help you to achieve a healthy weight.
Flexibility
- The term flexibility refers to the range of motion possible in your joints. An adequate range of motion is essential to ensure a high level of mobility and agility.
- Good trunk and spinal flexion, hip and ankle range of motion have been shown to reduce the incidence of injury to the lower body, especially if both limbs are ideally balanced.
- Adequate range of motion delays the onset of muscular fatigue, as ease of mobility reduces the energy requirement of the active muscle group especially when there is exceptional forces required on the joints and muscular systems (such as in emergency response situations).
- Employees in physically demanding occupations must present with a free and unrestricted range of motion about all the major joints.
- Stretching regularly and with the body weight supported (sitting/lying) and holding a light stretch for 40-60 sec will produce the best results over a short period of time.
Strength
- Strength is the ability of a muscle or muscle group to exert a maximum force.
- An adequate level of muscular strength is essential to maintain good joint health and posture, and reduce the risk of muscular injury.
- High levels of muscular strength and endurance help to reduce the energy requirement for basic movement tasks involving lifting, carrying, or pushing activities, thereby delaying the onset of muscular fatigue. This is essential for activities that may require high levels of repeated carrying of equipment or isometric contractions, such as holding and directing high-pressure hoses.
- Resistance (weight) training will help improve muscular strength. It is important first to develop the correct technique for lifting, then develop strength by doing a number of sets (2-4) of a moderate weight. You should be able to lift the weight 8-15 times for each set. As the effort becomes less, the resistance of the weight can increase.
The following documents are available as pdf files and may be accessed using the Adobe Acrobat plugin - see instructions below:
General Measurements
Blood Pressure
Protocol: A digital blood pressure meter may be used to measure blood pressure on your left arm.
Level Required: Systolic Maximum 155
Diastolic Maximum 95 Candidates who exceed either of the parameters above on two consecutive measurements will not be permitted to continue with any further fitness assessment and will be recommended to seek a medical opinion as to the cause of the raised blood pressure.
Height
Protocol: Measured to nearest 0.5 cm with shoes off
Level Required: No specific requirement This test is purely used to calculate other results.
This test is purely used to calculate other results.
Body Mass Index
Protocol: A calculation of body mass based upon height and weight readings
Level required: No specific requirement
The test is purely used to calculate other results. Candidates are however advised that those with a high BMI will generally find that they will need to undertake a more vigorous training programme to satisfy the requirements of the Cardiovascular tests given that Body Mass and Oxygen uptake are closely related.
Muscular Strength
Grip Strength
Protocol: The candidate squeezes a handgrip as tightly as possible. The result of this effort is recorded on a digital scale. The test is performed with the arm straight and to the side of the body without the handgrip touching the leg or being allowed to be swung to an alternative position. The test is performed on each hand.
Level Required: Candidates are required to exceed:
Dominant Hand - 35kg
Subordinate Hand - 33kg
Back and Leg Strength
Protocol: The candidate is required to raise, in an upward direction, a handle attached to a chain and a measuring gauge, by use of the legs and back.
Important - This test should not be performed by anybody with a history of back skeletal problems.
Level Required: Candidates are required to exceed 117kg.
Cardiovascular Tests Resting Pulse
Protocol: This will be taken at the same time as Blood Pressure readings
Level Required: No specific requirement
This test is purely used to calculate other results. Resting pulse gives an indication of heart size and efficiency of the Cardiovascular system.
Step Test
Protocol: The Chester step test may be used.
This test is a multistage, sub-maximal test which requires the candidate to step up to and back down from a low raised platform at a rate set by a metronome. The test is progressive, starting with a very slow step rate of 15 steps/minute, which increases gradually every two minutes until the subject reaches approximately 80% of maximum heart rate. Candidates will be expected to wear a Polar Heart Rate transmitter around their chest with a watch receiver on their wrist.
Level Required: Candidates must achieve a predicted VO2 Max of 45 millilitres of oxygen per kilogram of body weight per minute or above.
Multistage Fitness Test
Protocol: Candidates may be expected to run a distance of 20 metres repeatedly at a speed which increases every minute. Each minute represents a level - level one requires a running speed of 9 seconds per 20m shuttle. Candidates will be expected to keep to the speed required. Any candidate failing to complete a shuttle on three consecutive occasions, in the required time, will be asked to withdraw from the test. The test will stop after approximately 10 minutes. Those still participating in the test at this time will be deemed to have passed the test.
Level Required: Level 9 shuttle 6 representing VO2 Max of 45 millilitres of oxygen per kilogram of body weight per minute or above.
Work Related Tests
Candidates may be required to undergo a selection of the following tests. It should be noted that the details of the tests may vary from that described below on the actual day of the test.
100m Walk in Fire Kit
Wearing fire kit you will be required to walk 100 metres within 60 seconds. You are asked to do this to make you aware of the awkward nature of fire fighting clothing.
100 Metre Jog in Fire Kit
This test will take place immediately after the 100m walk in fire kit. You will be required to job a distance of 100m within 40 seconds. You are asked to do this to assess your ability to move to speed whilst wearing fire kit. Many operational tasks undertaken during the recruit course and subsequently throughout the service are done at speed because of the urgent nature of an emergency situation.
100m Walk in Fire Kit Carrying Hose
This test will take place immediately after the 100m jog in fire kit. You will be required to walk 100 metres carrying two lengths of coiled fire fighting hose (weighing 10kg each). You must complete this task within 60 seconds. The purpose of this task is to enable you to demonstrate your ability to walk at a brisk pace whilst carrying basic equipment without undue strain. New recruits are required to wear fire kit and carry basic equipment during training. This requires reasonable stamina and good hand and arm strength related to the job.
B. Ladder Simulation Tests
i. Ladder Lift
Protocol: This test emulates the strength, agility and ability required of a firefighter, working as part of a team of four, to efficiently stow a three piece (13.5m) ladder onto the top of a fire appliance. A test ladder (weighing approximately 50kg - half the weight of an actual ladder) will be placed with the "head" on the gantry rollers at the rear of a fire appliance and the "heel" of the test ladder on the floor. Transfer its position from floor level to overhead level and push the ladder forwards and upwards so that it rolls forward to stow into the securing gantry on the top of the appliance.
Level Required: The candidate must achieve this test on one occasion from a maximum of three attempts.
ii. Ladder Extension
Protocol: This test emulates the strength, dexterity and technique required by one person (acting in a team of two) to pull downwards on a line using a hand over hand technique, to extend a 13.5m three piece ladder, from its "housed" position to full extension. The test machine has the candidate pulling a 10m length of line downward with a resistance of 30kg acting against them. The candidate must use a smooth, hand over hand, action without allowing the rope to come to a standstill or drop backwards until the full 10m of rope has been used up.
Level Required: The candidate must achieve this test on one occasion from a maximum of three attempts.
iii. Under-run 7 metre ladder
The potential recruit will be required to under-run the 7m ladder from its starting position (horizontal), into the vertical position. From the vertical position the candidate must lower the head of the ladder into the building, in a controlled manner to test the candidates ability to understand, absorb and carry out instructions and to assess the candidates upper body strength.
iv. Ladder Climbing Test and Attitude to Heights
Protocol: Climbing Fire Service ladders and working at heights is an essential part of the role of a Firefighter. It is a task you can be expected to perform from week two of the recruit course and then subsequently throughout a career in the service.
A ladder 13.5m in height will be placed against a high building. You will be given basic instruction in the correct and safe technique of climbing ladders, and working off them. This includes taking a leg-lock on the ladder, which allows you to let go of the ladder with your hands yet remain safely on the ladder, using a leg grip technique. For the purpose of this test you will wear a safety harness, but please note you will not wear a harness under training or later in operational work. After being given the basic instruction you may be allowed one practice climb, after which the assessment will commence. Under assessment you will be required to climb the ladder and take a leg lock approximately half way up. You will then climb to the top of the ladder and enter the third floor of the high building. A series of numbers and letters will be displayed to you at ground floor level. To read them you will need to look down. You will identify each letter and number and inform the assessor. You will return to ground floor via the staircase. You will be assessed on your ability to work at heights by completing the task outlined. In addition, you will be expected to demonstrate the correct techniques for ladder work, outlined at the beginning of the session, to show you have understood basic instruction and have the ability to put that instruction to use.
Level Required: The candidate must complete this test in its entirely.
C. Manual Dexterity
Protocol: the candidate may be required to re-assemble six connectors/couplings. When connected they cannot be simply pulled apart. The different types of connection will require different combinations of movement to assemble them. Movements will include twisting, pushing and pulling etc.
This task is designed to test the candidates manual dexterity and pattern recognition when dealing with standard fire service connections. All connections are used on different hoses within the Fire Service and are required to form a water or air tight seal.
Level Required: The candidate must complete this test in its entirely within a given time limit.
D. Casualty Rescue
Protocol: This test will assess a candidate's ability to drag a fully kitted casualty a set distance over a pre laid course in a set time. The aim is to assess the candidate's level of anaerobic power by performing a job related task.
Level Required: The candidate must complete this test in its entirety within a given time limit.
E. Hose Running Test
Hose running is a task that is carried out frequently during the initial weeks of training, and subsequently in operational Fire Service work. This test is designed to assess your capacity to perform prolonged physical exercise at maximum intensity, your ability to absorb and retain instruction and put that instruction into practice, your manipulative skills, co-ordination and manual dexterity. Success in this test will require you to demonstrate a high level of determination, commitment and self-discipline.
Working in a team of three, you will be given a coiled 25m length of fire fighting hose which weighs approximately 10kg. The session will last approximately one half-hour which will include basis instruction on the following -
- Picking up the hose and putting it down
- Running with the hose
- Running out the hose
- Coiling up the hose
Following this instruction you will be asked to carry out the following -
- Run out, under run, and make up the hose into a coil a set number of times in a set period.
- Run a set distance carrying the coiled hose under your arm.
Your performance in the test will be judged on your ability to complete the task and the time it takes you to do so. Additionally you will be expected to display the correct techniques demonstrated to you at the commencement of the session, to ensure you have the ability to absorb and utilise basic instruction.
F.
- Team Task 1
The majority of tasks carried out in the fire service involve working with other crew members. It is essential, therefore, to ensure that persons employed have the necessary characteristics to be able to work as part of a team. Teamwork forms part of virtually all activities undertaken in training and subsequently throughout a career in the fire service.
You will be required to work as part of a team. This team will be made up of other applicants like you. You will be set the objective of advancing two hose lines filled with water up a tower staircase to the third floor and down again. Because the hose is filled with water it is inflexible and very difficult to advance forward particularly when negotiating bends on the staircase. This activity requires team effort to achieve the objective within the 8 minutes specified. - Team Task 2
The second team task involves achieving a set objective by solving a problem using a number of everyday items which have been provided. Success will depend on all members of the team working together by discussing the problem, formulating a plan of action and putting it into action.
G. Ability to Work in a Confined Space (Wearing Breathing Apparatus)
The ability to manoeuvre the body and other objects in awkward and tight situations, sometimes in complete darkness is an aspect of fire fighting. This test is designed to test your agility and how you cope with these conditions.
You will be given basic instruction on wearing a breathing apparatus set (weight 18kg). Wearing a breathing apparatus with the mask blanked out, you will be required to enter the crawling gallery (a series of small tunnels of varying height and width) and negotiate a short route through the gallery. Whilst in the gallery you will be expected to locate a dummy simulating a casualty and drag it back to the point where you entered.
At the mid point of this test, the obscuration mask will be removed and you will be shown a number of everyday items on a tray and asked to memorise them. On completion of the test you will be asked to recall these items.
Your performance will be judged on your ability to bear the weight of the set whilst completing the task. The time taken to complete the task is also taken into account in assessing your overall performance as is your ability to recall the aforementioned items.
Preparing for Your Selection Day(s)
Success in the practical assessment day(s) requires a high level of Fitness. Many of the tests described above test your Cardio respiratory fitness, muscular strength and muscular endurance. These tests will not be a problem for someone who maintains a high level of fitness. If you are not sure about your fitness level it is recommended that you undertake regular aerobic exercises, for example, running, swimming and cycling. A general indicator if an acceptable level of fitness is to be able to run 6miles in 48minutes or less.
If you have never participated in an exercise regime or have any doubts about you general health or have injuries or illness, it is recommended you consult you GP before undertaking strenuous exercise.
Ability Range Tests
The objective of these tests is to give everyone the chance to show their ability to think clearly and logically. These tests may include any or all of the following :
- Essay: To describe a particular scene.
- Comprehension test based on a paper which candidates will be given when invited to attend.
- Numerical and logical reasoning.
- Test to solve relatively simple problems with a mathematical and logical basis.
- Information assessment – candidates will be given a sheet of information during the exam from which they have to complete a matrix with the relevant information.
- Diction Test tests a candidates ability to record and recall critical information.
