Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT)

Upon completion of the written test, candidates are required to take the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT), which has been designed to ensure that candidates are capable of performing job related tasks. 

The City of Dubuque Fire Department conducts a CPAT test every September but will also accept proof of successful completion of a CPAT from a licensed agency.  Certification is required at the time of final selection interview and can not be more than 12 months old. To learn more about registering for a CPAT course or scheduling to take a registered CPAT test, please contact the Dubuque Fire Department. As required, the department offers two CPAT orientation sessions and two timed practice runs. A schedule of these events at the test will be posted to this page when finalized.

What is the CPAT?

The Fire Service Joint Labor Management Wellness/Fitness Initiative Candidate Physical Ability Test© (CPAT) consists of eight separate events.  It is a sequence of events requiring the candidate to progress along a predetermined path from event to event in a continuous manner.  This test was developed to allow fire departments a means for obtaining pools of trainable candidates who are physically able to perform essential job tasks at fire scenes.  The eight sequential events are:

  • Stair Climb
  • Hose Drag
  • Equipment Carry
  • Ladder Raise and Extension
  • Forcible Entry
  • Search
  • Rescue
  • Ceiling Breach and Pull

This is a pass/fail test based on a validated maximum total time of 10 minutes and 20 seconds.  Summaries of each event and a related video are provided below.  Additional candidate resources include:

  • CPAT Candidate Preparation Guide: This test is physically demanding and requires that you be physically fit to be successful. This guide was developed to assist you with physically preparing yourself for the test.

  • Detailed Description of All 8 CPAT Events: This document includes detailed descriptions of each event, equipment involved, as well as the purpose of the evaluation.

Stair Climb

For this event, you must wear two 12.5-pound weights on your shoulders to simulate the weight of a high-rise pack. Prior to the initiations of the timed CPAT, there is a 20-second warm-up on the stair stepper at a set stepping rate of 50 steps per minute. During this warm-up period, you are permitted to dismount, grasp the rail or hold the wall to establish balance and cadence. If you fall or dismount the stair stepper during the 20-second warm-up period, you must remount the stair stepper and restart the entire 20-second warm-up period. You are allowed to restart the warm-up period twice. The timing of the test begins at the end of this warm-up period when the proctor calls the word "START". There is no break in time between the warm-up period and the actual timing of the test. For the test, you must walk on the stair stepper at a set stepping rate of 60 steps per minute for three minutes. This concludes the event. The two 12.5 pound weights are removed from your shoulders. Walk 85 feet within the established walkway to the next event.
stair climb

Hose Drag

For this event, you must grasp a hoseline nozzle attached to 200 feet of 1 3/4-inch hose. Place the hoseline over your shoulder or across your chest, not exceeding the 8-foot mark. You are permitted to run during the hose drag. Drag the hose 75 feet to a pre-positioned drum, make a ninety-degree turn around the drum, and continue an additional 25 feet. Stop within the marked 5-foot by 7-foot box, drop to at least one knee and pull the hoseline until the hoseline 50-foot mark crosses the finish line. During the hose pull, you must keep at least one knee in contact with the ground and knee(s) must remain within the marked boundary lines. This concludes the event. Walk 85 feet within the established walkway to the next event.
Hose Drag

Equipment Carry

For this event, you must remove two saws from the tool cabinet, one at a time, and place them on the ground. You must then pick up both saws and carry them while walking 75 feet to a pre-positioned drum, make a 180-degree turn around the drum, then walk back to the starting point. You are permitted to place the saw(s) on the ground to adjust your grip. Upon return to the tool cabinet, place the saws on the ground, pick up each saw one at a time, and replace the saw in the designated space in the cabinet. This concludes the event. Walk 85 feet within the established walkway to the next event.
tool carry

Ladder Raise

For this event, you must walk to the top rung of the 24-foot aluminum extension ladder, lift the unhinged end from the ground, and walk it up until it is stationary against the wall. This must be done in a hand over hand fashion, using each rung until the ladder is stationary against the wall. You must not use the ladder rails to raise the ladder. Immediately proceed to the pre-positioned and secured 24-foot aluminum extension ladder, stand with both feet within the marked box of 36 inches x 36 inches, and extend the fly section hand over hand until it hits the stop. Then, lower the fly section hand over hand in a controlled fashion to the starting position. This concludes the event. Walk 85 feet within the established walkway to the next event.
ladder raise

Forcible Entry

For this event, you must use a 10-pound sledgehammer to strike the measuring device in the target area until the buzzer is activated. During this event, you must keep your feet outside the toe-box at all times. After the buzzer is activated, place the sledgehammer on the ground. This concludes the event. Walk 85 feet within the established walkway to the next event.
force

Search

For this event, you must crawl through a tunnel maze that is approximately 3 feet high, 4 feet wide and 64 feet in length with two ninety-degree turns. At a number of locations in the tunnel, you must navigate around, over and under obstacles. In addition, at two locations, you must crawl through a narrowed space where the dimensions of the tunnel are reduced. Your movement is monitored through the maze. If for any reason, you choose to end the event, call or rap sharply on the wall or ceiling and you will be assisted out of the maze. Upon exit from the maze, the event is concluded. Walk 85 feet within the established walkway to the next event.
search

Rescue Drag

For this event, you must grasp a 165-pound mannequin by the handle(s) on the shoulder(s) of the harness (either one or both handles are permitted), drag it 35 feet to a pre-positioned drum, make a 180 degree turn around the drum, and continue an additional 35 feet to the finish line. You are not permitted to grasp or rest on the drum. It is permissible for the mannequin to touch the drum. You are permitted to drop and release the mannequin and adjust your grip. The entire mannequin must be dragged until it crosses the marked finish line. This concludes the event. Walk 85 feet within the established walkway to the next event.
dummy drag

Ceiling Breach & Pull

For this event, you must remove the pike pole from the bracket, stand within the boundary established by the equipment frame, and place the tip of the pole on the painted area of the hinged door in the ceiling. Fully push up the 60-pound hinged door in the ceiling with the pike pole three times. Then, hook the pike pole to the 80-pound ceiling device and pull the pole down five times. Each set consists of three pushes and five pulls. Repeat the set four times. You are permitted to stop and, if needed, adjust your grip. Releasing your grip or allowing the pike pole handle to slip, without the pike pole falling to the ground, does not result in a warning or constitute a failure. You are permitted to re-establish your grip and resume the event. If you do not successfully complete a repetition, the proctor calls out "MISS" and you must push or pull the apparatus again to complete the repetition. This event and the total test time ends when you complete the final pull stroke repetition or as indicated by a proctor who calls out "TIME."
ceiling pull