A Little Encouragement

[SmkeaterChic]

I just wanted to give a little encouragement to any females that may be preparing to take the CPAT test. While the test is tough, if you work hard enough,you WILL pass I had to take one on a Friday and then take one on the following Tuesday and actually improved my time by 55 seconds on Tuesday (I passed both tests). Make sure to do stairs with weight. I feel like a lot of this test demanded more of my lower body than it did my upper body. When I worked out, I concentrated on my legs (with weight) 3 days a week and did upper body 2 days a week and did cardio everyday. Two days of the week I did cardio twice. Another big factor is having a positive attitude. I was sooo nervous I almost puked. But I never doubted myself. Have faith in yourself no matter what kind of test you are taking. Good luck!! If you have any questions feel free to email me!

SmkeaterChic

[volunteercareer]

Great job!

I'm glad to here of someone actually passing the CPAT.
Here we are still doing the CTT. Passed it last week and improved my time by 50 sec. I am afraid one of these days we are going to change to the CPAT. I guess the best thing to do is train like we already do it!

I started as a career firefighter late in life (at least compared to most other firefighters!) By the time I am ready for retirement I will be 55 years old. Better stay in shape! Any advice from women over 50 on physical agility tests?

[HurleyCo5]

whats a cpat ?!?

[volunteercareer]

I was going to give you a link to info on the CPAT on this web site but we have to be a "member" to get it!

I hope firehouse is not going to charge us for most of their information from now on. I really enjoyed this site!

Oh Well, what's free usually does not last forever.

I'll have to search for another Emergency Service Site that doesn't charge.

[SmkeaterChic]

HurleyCo5

I have an CPAT link for you, www.ci.tucson.az.us/fire/training/TFD.Career/CPAT_Info/cpat_info.html

You can read and download the guide they give you during orientation. This is actually Tucson's website, but they give all the details of the CPAT. The CPAT is a standard test. It will be the same no matter where you take it. Sorry, I didn't get back to you earlier, but I had to get my link to the new server to login.

[Iris A. Monge]

Thanks for the encouragement! I do wildland firefighting, and that's ALL leg strength. I want to work for the city department in my area, but since I'm too old to be an explorer, I only have a small idea of what the agility test is like. As a woman, what can I do to prepare myself? My regular workouts include anything from hiking, leg weights and running. But that's all wildland training. What can I do for structure?

Iris:cool:

[RMcNye]

Iris, don't you have to do any upper-body work for wildland? Where I live, we need to do push-ups and pull-ups. If that's something you can do, you're probably pretty strong already. Otherwise, you'll probably want to add some upper-body strength training to your workout. For everything else, you're probably in very good shape already.

[SmkeaterChic]

Iris A. Monge:
Does your city department use the CPAT or some other type of physical agility? If you know someone working there, have them give you all the details of the test (if they are allowed to). If you don't know anybody, call the department and see if you can get the details of the test. Let them know that you want to start training now. Work your legs with weights. By that I mean use a weight vest (at least 50 lbs. or more) on a stair climber, step mill, jog with it, or run stairs with it. Keep trying to increase your time. The more time you can build up, the better off you will be! It will also help your cardio. You also need to do some kind of weight lifting with your legs. Don't forget about your upper body! Your upper body will be taxed just as much as your lower body in structural firefighting. So,have a weight program ready for your upper body (arms, back, shoulders). And cardio, cardio, cardio!!! Remember that you are working towards a goal and that even though you are gasping for air and wringing wet with sweat, it is fun and dang it, you'll look good when your done:D

[SmkeaterChic]

Oh yeah, I almost forgot.....

There are hundreds of websites that have weight vests, I like www.weightvest.com, they even have a weight vest for firefighters. However, it is not the same weight vest they use for the CPAT. But, it will work just as well. You can make your own by using a sturdy backpack and fill it with sand, weights, or whatever you can conjure up. Just make sure that the weight is evenly distributed or you may end up like the Hunchback of Notre Dame. Go Irish, soon to be 8-0.