Candidate Equipment

Applicants will be outfitted with a 50-pound simulated SCBA, a safety helmet properly sized/fitted, and a pair of properly fitting work gloves, all provided by the Franklin Fire Department.

General Course Rules

• An applicant will fail if they are unable to complete any event/task or do not complete the course in the designated timeframe of 9 minutes.
• Proctors will correct any incorrect actions immediately, while allowing the applicant to continue, unless otherwise noted.
• If, at any time, the applicant fails to follow the correct path, the proctor will instruct him/her to return to the point of departure and carry on in the correct manner.

The Evolutions

The 13 components of the FPAT are described below. View the instructional video HERE.

1) Equipment Carry

This exercise simulates carrying saws (K12, chainsaw) on the fireground. Candidates will be required to carry two kettlebells (20 lbs. and 25 lbs.) at the same time, for a total distance of 100 feet. Candidates will start the FPAT with their hands on each of the kettlebells. After lifting both kettlebells from the platform, they will walk down to the far marker cone, make a right hand turn around the cone, walk to the near marker cone, make a right hand turn around the cone, and then return both kettle bells to the platform.

2) Forcible Entry

Candidates will be required to strike a target block/sled, mounted on a track, using a sledgehammer.  Candidates will walk to the right-hand side of the Punisher and remove the nine-pound dead blow hammer. They will start with a right-handed grip and strike the target area of the “sled” until the sled reaches the end of the track. Then they will reverse grip and strike the “sled” back to its original position. They may not “push” the sled – it must be advanced using strikes. Once the sled reaches the end of the track, the candidate will replace the nine-pound dead blow hammer in the holder.

3) Walk #1

Candidates will walk down to the far marker cone, make a right hand turn around the cone, walk to the near marker cone, and then approach the ladder simulator to your left. The distance of travel is approximately 100 feet.

4) Ladder Carry

This evolution simulates carrying a 24-foot aluminum extension ladder. Candidates will be required to carry a 65-pound simulated ladder a distance of 100 feet. You will lift and carry the yellow ladder simulator, either by positioning it on your shoulder or holding it with two hands, to the near cone, make a right hand turn around the cone, walk down to the far cone, right-hand turn around the far cone, walk back to the near cone and then replace the ladder in its mounts on the Firesled.

5) Ladder Climb

This evolution simulates climbing up to top of a fifth floor on ladder. Candidates will be required to climb a distance of 50 feet on a ladder climbing simulator. Candidates will walk toward the near cone, make a right hand turn around the cone and walk to the Laddermill. The proctor stationed here will set the Laddermill at a resistance appropriate to the candidate’s weight and adjust the resistance level as necessary to avoid the machine from “bottoming out”. The proctor will instruct the candidate to ask for more or less resistance. Once the electronic meter indicates that the candidate has climbed a total distance of 50 feet, the proctor will instruct the candidate to dismount the Laddermill.

6) Walk #2

The candidate will turn to the right and walk to the near perimeter marker cone, make a right hand turn around the cone and walk to the opposite perimeter marker cone, make a right-hand turn and walk to the far perimeter marker cone, then make a right hand turn around the cone and walk to the Firesled simulator. The total distance of travel is approximately 140 feet.

7) Charged Line Advance

This evolution simulates advancing a charged hoseline. Candidates will pick up the hoseline, drape it over your shoulder, and pull the simulator forward for a distance of 50 feet. You will be instructed to stop when the Firesled has reached the target area. You may stop and rest during this component.

8) Equipment Carry

Candidates will lift one kettle bell (45 lbs.) from a two-foot platform, walk to the far cone, make a right hand turn around the cone, return to the platform and then return the kettle bell to the platform. The distance of travel is 100 feet.

9) Crawl

Candidates will assume a crawling position behind the start line (hands and knees or hands and feet) and will crawl 25 feet to the end of the mat.

10) Hose Feed

This evolution simulates reeling in a charged line. Candidates will enter the target box and will position themselves in a kneeling position (two knees or knee and foot) or in a seated position. The candidate will reel in the hoseline until the 20-foot marker passes the front edge of the target box. Candidates should be instructed to keep their body inside the target box at all times.

11) Walk #3

Candidates will walk from the target box to the cone, make a right hand turn around the cone and walk to the Firesled. The distance of travel is approximately 70 feet.

12) Ceiling Breach and Pull

This evolution simulates pulling ceiling to check for fire spread. Candidates will mount the Firesled and take hold of the pike pole. The candidate will perform 20 breach/pull repetitions. A single repetition consists of pulling downward with the pike pole until the downward motion is blocked and then pushing upward with the pike pole until the upward motion is blocked. The proctor should count repetitions aloud for the candidate and instruct the candidate when to stop. Should the candidate perform an incomplete repetition, the proctor will not count the repetition.

13) Victim Rescue

This evolution simulates dragging a victim using webbing. Candidates will be required to drag the Firesled simulator for a distance of 50 feet to simulate dragging a human victim. The candidate will grab the hand straps and drag the sled backwards across a designated finish line.