Cherry Hill Fire Department Emergency Medical Services Physical Ability Course

The following information is designed to describe the physical tasks you will be required to perform for the Cherry Hill Fire Department Emergency Medical Services Division.

 Applicants will need to wear comfortable clothing and running shoes. Gloves are optional.  Applicants will be ranked based on time.

The course will include:

I: Pre-test warm up There is a 1/2 mile, walk/run that, combined with proper stretching, is designed as a warm-up for the PAT. This is not a timed event, but is required to insure proper warm-up.

II: Physical ability and BLS Skills Examination Applicants will be given an overview of the PA Course and equipment prior to the assessment.

The physical ability course is designed to simulate the many physical tasks required of an EMT or Paramedic. The course consists of a sequence of events requiring the candidate to progress along a predetermined path from event to event in a continuous manner. Successful applicants will complete the course in 15 minutes or less. Scoring is based on total time required to complete the examination (less time = higher score).

A. Equipment Carry – The applicant will carry a 50 lb object 50 feet, set the object down, pick it back up and carry the object back to the starting point.

Purpose of Event: The purpose of this event is to simulate carrying essential medical equipment to the patient’s side. This event will assess the applicant’s ability to lift using proper body mechanics, as well as challenge the applicant’s upper body muscular strength and endurance, lower body muscular strength and endurance, grip endurance and balance. This event affects the aerobic energy system as well as the following muscle groups: biceps, deltoids, upper back, trapezius, muscles of the forearm and hand (grip), glutes, quadriceps and hamstrings.

Failures: ____Dropping equipment ____Inability to complete task ____3 warnings for safety concerns

B. Stair Climb - The applicant will pick up the airway bag (35 lbs) and equipment jump bag (25 lbs) and carry them 35 ft to the tower. Applicant will climb to the 2nd floor with equipment, return to the 1st floor, then climb back to the 2nd floor, set the equipment down at the top of the stairs and perform 2 minutes of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) on a manikin. The applicant will then carry a stair chair with secured patient weighing 155 lbs down the stairs with one assistant.

Purpose of Event: The purpose of this event is to simulate applicant’s ability of climbing stairs while carrying approximately 55-60 lbs of essential medical equipment, perform CPR to AHA standard, and safely maneuver a simulated patient down a flight of stairs and to the ambulance for transport to the hospital. This event challenges the applicant’s aerobic capacity, upper body muscular strength and endurance, lower body muscular strength and endurance, grip endurance and balance. It also affects the aerobic/anaerobic energy systems as well as the following muscle groups: chest, upper back, biceps, triceps, deltoids, quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, calves and lower back stabilizers.

Failures: ____Dropping equipment ____Inability to complete task ____3 warnings for safety concerns

C. Lifting and moving a scoop stretcher and ambulance stretcher – With one assistant, the applicant will lift a 120 lb scoop stretcher, carry it 50 feet and place it on the ambulance stretcher while the stretcher is in low position. The applicant will then load and secure the stretcher into the ambulance. Assistant will verify the stretcher has been secured in unit. Following this, the applicant will enter the ambulance and lift the scoop stretcher and place it on the bench seat of the unit with the aid of one assistant. The applicant and assistant will lift the scoop stretcher off the bench seat, place it back on the ambulance stretcher and step out of the unit. Finally, the applicant will unload the ambulance stretcher from the unit.

Purpose of Event: The purposes of this event is to evaluate the applicant’s ability to safely lift and maneuver a patient onto a stretcher and load the patient in the ambulance for transport to the hospital. This event will assess the applicant’s ability to maintain proper lifting techniques and challenge his/her aerobic/anaerobic and muscular endurance since it closely follows the stair climb event. The event also affects the following muscle groups: biceps, deltoids, upper back, trapezius, muscles of the forearm and hand (grip), quadriceps, glutes, hamstrings and lower back stabilizers.

Failures: ____Dropping equipment ____Inability to complete tasks ____3 warnings for safety concerns

D. Airway Management - The applicant will retrieve an airway bag and backboard from the ambulance, walk to the assessment station and attach the oxygen regulator to the “D” tank oxygen bottle in a squatting position. The applicant will then place an appropriate airway for a manikin that will be placed supine on the ground. Applicant will also be required to perform adequate ventilations utilizing a BVM device at ground level. The applicant must perform above skills according to the State and/or National Registry standards of care.

Purpose of Event: The purpose of this event is to simulate carrying equipment a distance to a patient that is not readily accessible and to then perform tasks that require use of fine/gross motor skills. The event will assess the applicant’s ability to use proper body mechanics while in a difficult physical position as well as challenge the applicant’s cardiovascular and muscular endurance, grip endurance and balance.

Failures: ____Dropping equipment ____Inability to complete tasks ____Inability to maintain difficult positioning during skills ____3 warnings for safety concerns

E. Stretcher Obstacle Course – The applicant will lift an ambulance stretcher, secured with 120lbs of simulated patient weight, with one assistant and carry it up 3 steps and down 3 steps. The applicant and his/her assistant will then lift the stretcher into its highest position and maneuver the stretcher 100 feet over uneven ground.

Purpose of Event: The purpose of this event is to simulate moving a patient on a stretcher over difficult terrain. At a number of locations during the 100 feet, the applicant will need to navigate the stretcher around and/or over obstacles. The applicant will need to manage and instruct his/her assistant during the course. This event continues to challenge the applicant’s aerobic capacity, upper and lower body muscular strength and endurance, grip endurance and balance. The muscles challenged are as follows: biceps, deltoids, upper back, trapezius, muscles of the forearm and hand grip, glutes, quadriceps, hamstrings and lower back stabilizers.

Failures: ____Dropping stretcher during lift and carry, or allowing stretcher to tilt over during obstacle course. ____Inability to complete course ____3 warnings for safety concerns

F. Obstacle Course & Manikin Drag – The applicant will pick up the airway bag (35 lbs) and walk 50 feet to a vehicle. The applicant will place the airway bag on the ground next to the vehicle and crawl through a designated vehicle window, and out the opposite window. The applicant will open the designated car door to gain access to a simulated patient (manikin weighing 155 lbs.) The applicant will then rapidly remove the manikin from the vehicle and drag it 50 ft. After laying the manikin down, the applicant will retrieve the airway bag and will then walk 100 ft to a short obstacle course. The obstacle course involves climbing a 4 ft fence, crawling through a 5’ x 15” opening, and a 100 ft walk/run to finish line.

Purpose of Event: The purpose of this event is to simulate the ability to gain access to a patient requiring emergency medical care during extrication from a vehicle or other confined space and maneuver through a series of obstacles with protective gear and medical equipment. The manikin drag simulates the ability to remove a victim or injured partner from a dangerous scene. This event challenges the applicant’s agility and position tolerance, aerobic/anaerobic energy systems, upper and lower body muscular strength and endurance as well as the following muscle groups: muscles of the chest, shoulders, back, biceps, triceps, abdominals, lower back stabilizers, trapezius, deltoids, latissimus dorsi, torso rotators, muscles of the forearm and hand (grip), quadriceps, glutes and hamstrings.

Failures: ____Dropping equipment/manikin ____Inability to complete course ____3 warnings for safety concerns