Monday evening, as part of the Allen County Meltdown’s Male Domination Monday, firefighters will be giving civilians a chance to see what it takes to fight fires. THE TEST will be held at Riverside Park at 6 p.m. Participants should wear clothing suitable for physical exertion.
When someone applies to be a firefighter, they first thing they go through is a physical agility test.
“We want to make sure applicants are physically fit,” Iola Fire Department Lieutenant Ryan Sell said. “If they can’t pass it then they know where they stand and can work on it.”
The test is a linear course with nine stations. The test must be completed with bunker gear on — boots, trousers, jacket, helmet and a self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).
“Depending on the size of the bunker gear, it is an additional 50 pounds,” Sell said.
The course must then be completed in less than 17 minutes, if taking the test as an applicant, but Monday’s test can be completed in any amount of time.
“People should set a goal for themselves,” Sell said.
If an applicant was taking the test and passed they would then move onto the written test and interview.
Before the test begins, participants will have their vitals taken and again immediately after the test is completed to see how taxing the test was on the body. A third set of vitals will be taken 10 minutes post-test to see how well they recover.
Sounds hard, but Sell assures it can be done.
“Everyone can complete it,” he said. “It’s just a matter of whether they can complete it within the 17 minutes.”
Anyone is welcome to participate or spectate, no matter the gender.
“We are calling all our men. Don’t make it be all women out there, because they will do it,” Thrive Allen County program director Damaris Kunkler said.
Participants must be 18 or over.
For more information contact Thrive at (620) 365-8128.
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