BALTIMORE --
To become a Baltimore city firefighter, you need to be in the best physical condition possible, and a new agility test is weeding out the wannabe's from the men and women who have what it takes.
City firefighters have to battle flames under the toughest of conditions, so every new firefighter candidate must now take a new, more rigorous physical agility test that's expected to stretch them to their limits.
The C-PAT, or Candidate Physical Ability Test, is a standardized test used by about 70 fire departments across the nation, including three in Maryland. Baltimore city started the program in January.
"It's strength, physical endurance and cardio. You have to be in complete shape. It's not just one part or another," said test coordinator Julie Snyder.
Candidates go through eight weeks of mentoring with trainers who have already passed the test. They help get candidates in the physical shape they need to be in so they can move on in the hiring process.
During the test, there are eight stations that each simulate a real-life fire situation. The first is the stair-stepper, in which candidates have to wear a 75-pound vest.
"You talk to someone out on the street, who's like, 'Oh, a stair-stepper for three minutes? How hard could that be?' Well, if you put 75 pounds on and you're not be able to lean on something, it's very difficult. That probably terminates most of our candidates," said Fire Chief Gary Metzbower, a 29-year veteran of the force.
Candidates then switch to a 50-pound vest for a hose drag.
"Then we go on to a pole carry, ladder raise, we have a forced entry and a maze," Snyder said.
The seventh part of the test involves lifting a 165-pound dummy while wearing a 50 pound vest and dragging it backward. WBAL-TV 11 News reporter Jennifer Franciotti tried it out and said it was quite a struggle (Watch the video above to see.).
Fire officials said the test takes mental and physical determination. Candidates have only 10 minutes and 20 seconds to pass, and if they fail, they're out of the program.
"It's all about heart. You have to want this job. This is the part, no matter how you're feeling and what's going on, you have 10 minutes and 20 seconds to complete this. It doesn't matter if you finish it in 10:19 or in 8 minutes, it's pass or fail," said Carl Knight, a 16-year emergency vehicle driver.
Out of the latest class of 100, only about 60 percent are expected to pass, fire officials said.
"Most likely, if they're in shape now, they'll remain in that shape," Snyder said.
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