Physical Agility Course

Revision 3/27/2009 (Addition of the evaluation scale)

This coursed will be used during promotional processes and other “official” assessments. Other courses and adjustments to this one may be conducted anytime but this course will serve as the base test to gauge progress.

Participants will wear the following PPE: Turnout pants, coat and boots, structural gloves & helmet (For official assessments the participant must be using their assigned PPE). An SCBA pack frame and bottle will be worn, SCBA mask is not required. A nomex hood is not required (as the mask is not worn). Note on the selection of PPE: Air consumption is not part of the course so users can perform this layout without having to clean masks and refill bottles every time they want to practice. Standpipe Pack – 2 50’ sections of 1½ or 1¾” hose with straps securing the bundle together firmly. A nozzle is not required. Keiser – Keiser should be cleaned properly before courses are ran (Isopropyl alcohol/Rubbing alcohol). Bystanders must stay at least 5’ away while the participant is swinging the hammer . Touching participants – No bystander may touch participants during the course or assist with ropes, hoseline or any other equipment. Evaluators may be prepared to catch a falling individual but once touched the course time is stopped and the evolution is over. General Safety – Participants should advise evaluators of any pains or potential problems before the course and report any problems after the course.

DO NOT PARTICIPATE in the course if doing so will or may complicate an injury.

Do not run during the course. “speed walking” permitted.

No equipment will be “thrown down” (hose, nozzles, hammers etc.)

Participants should maintain control at all times.

Participants should not fall backwards after crossing the finish line as it could cause damage to the SCBA cylinder

The course may be stopped by an evaluator for safety reasons.

An observer should be present at each station

Timing the course

Timing the course serves several purposes. First, the timing serves as a department standard for promotions, evaluations, to determine if the firefighter has sufficient physical skills for the fireground and to enhance health, safety & survival. Secondly it is used to track progress and gauge how effective a workout routine is working.

A primary factor in times is have a consistent course, rules and timing methods so each comparison is accurate and fairly applied. The SVFD timing sheet must be used and results are submitted to the Deputy Chief for input into the database.

“Official” times submitted into the database must be by timed by a Captain or higher. While anyone at any rank may perform and time the course at anytime, times used to “Set Records” or for shift averages related to reward systems must be by a Captain or higher.

“Official” times used for officer promotions, the evaluation program or conclusions to reward systems must be performed by a Chief Officer.

Timing devices- Must read seconds in digital. It is advisable during official timings for two people to record times. Timing limits, what constitutes passing - Officer promotion criteria is for total time less than 5:00 minutes Passing the agility course is for total time less than 7:00 minutes

The timer not only records times for start & finish but includes writing down times at specific points during the course. These “running time” recordings will help define how long some segments of the course were. These segments will help discover weak & strong points and allow the department to assist in developing a workout program to match the participant’s needs.

1- Donning time w/gear secure first step away, gloves donned enroute 2. Time from finish donning till touching the Standpipe Pack 3. Time carrying the SPP up tower until dropping it at 4th Fl landing. 4. Hose Pull evolution until hose retouches ground 5. Time back down the tower until SPP is laid back on ground 6. Time from tower to first hit of Keiser 7. Time from first hit of Keiser till last 8. Time from Keiser machine, through hose drag and until targets is activated 9. Time from touching Rescue Randy until RR feet cross finish line.

Penalties: Skipping tower steps -5 seconds for each step “Running” – 10 seconds for each section the person ran Dropping equipment (Hammer, Nozzle, hose roll or SCBA) harshly – 15 seconds each occasion Losing control of the sledge hammer (When the hammer leaves the grip of both hands)– 15 seconds each occasion

Scale for evaluation purposes

Time Score Translates to these eval terms Another way of describing 7:00 or greater (1) Did not meet expectations Failed 6:00-6:59 (3) Meets expectations Meets minimum expectations 5:30-5:59 (3.5) On rare occasions exceeds expectations Pretty good performance 5:00-5:29 (4) Occasionally exceeds expectations Good performance 4:30-4:59 (4.5) Frequently exceeds expectations Very good performance Less than 4:30 (5) Always exceeds all expectations Outstanding performance Any score less than 4:00 can be described as an “Exceptional performance” with more weight given to the “5” when combining into the overall rating. Course Flowthrough

1. Donning – At the Div A/B burn building hydrant. With shoes already off, start time and user dons all PPE (SCBA waiststrap & regulator must be secure). Donning of gloves may be completed while walking through next step but must be completed before beginning step 2.

2. Standpipe pack carry – Pickup the hose pack at the base of the stairs and carry it to the 4 th floor landing (You must contact each step) and lay it down (do not just through it down).

3. Hoist the 2½” hose roll to the point where you can touch it. Lower it back to the ground in a controlled manner.

4. Standpipe pack carry – Pickup the hose pack, carry it down (not skipping stairs) and lay it back down at the base of the stairs.

5. Keiser machine – Hit the sled until it reaches the other end.

6. Charged hoseline advance –

6A-Advance the 1¾” to the mark and

6B-flow the stream until the bullseye target activates. (When flowing the stream, the line must be underneath the arm, not over the shoulder)(Nozzle must be laid down, not dropped)

7. Rescue Randy drag – Using any method (arms around torso, use of webbing, rope or straps), drag 50’ and when Rescue Randy’s feet cross the line at Finish A or B, the time is stopped.