Wholetime Fitness Requirements



Physical and Practical Assessments

Firefighting can be a physically demanding and hazardous job. To ensure effective and safe operational performance an appropriate level of physical fitness is required.

Your level of physical fitness will be determined by measuring your performance during a number of physical and practical firefighting tasks which are detailed below.



Fitness Assessment - Chester Treadmill Test

If successful at the Selection stage, a fitness assessment will be carried out to determine aerobic fitness. This allows us to assess your ability to perform exercise for longer periods which is important for safe firefighting.

This test is a 12-minute, graded treadmill walk/run test. It is designed to assess whether you can achieve the minimum recommended standard of aerobic capacity (42.3 mlsO2/kg/min) to be an operational firefighter.

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Ability Tests

Ladder Climb

Ladder Pull

Casualty Evacuation

Ladder Lift

Equipment Assembly

Crawlway

Equipment Carry

 How to Prepare


As part of the Physical Assessment, you will also be required to complete a Water Affinity Test and CPR Assessment, which are detailed below.



Water Affinity Test

As part of the fitness assessment, applicants will also be assessed in a swimming pool to determine their confidence operating in water. Firefighters respond to water rescue and floods as part of the statutory duty.

The test comprises of two stages:

  • Swim Test - Each candidate must complete a 25m swim (front crawl). There will be no time
  • Self Rescue – Each Candidate will enter the water from platform no more than 2m above water level, they will then be required to swim 10m and negotiate obstructions by swimming past them sub surface.

A personal floatation device will be provided for use for the duration of the test.



CPR Assessment

Firefighters respond to medical incidents as part of their role. Applicants will be assessed on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) to determine their confidence in undertaking the activity.

The test will require applicants to:

  • Call for help
  • Hands on chest and mouth to mouth 30:2 ratio
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