Welcome to the Fire Consortium Agility Test. The Fire Consortium Agility Test is the fire
departments of Fargo, West Fargo, Moorhead, Williston, and Grand Forks. The Consortium Agility Test
has 10 events. All candidates should watch this video prior to performing the test. All
candidates will also be walked through the entire test prior to performing the test.
Prior to the test all candidates must do a medical check and then after the test all candidates must
do a post-medical check. The various techniques that can be used for each event will be demonstrated
on your walkthrough of the Agility Test course. The mandatory equipment to be used during the
Agility Test are gloves, a helmet, turnout coat, and an SCBA breathing apparatus. Candidates are
not allowed to run between test events, however candidates may run safely within each event.
The cutoff score time for candidates, these are new higher candidates, is 487 seconds
or 8 minutes and 7 seconds. The cutoff time for incumbents is 452 seconds or 7 minutes and 32
seconds. In event one, the dry hose deployment, candidate advances a pre-connect one and three
quarter inch dry hose line for 110 feet. When performing this event candidates should place
the nozzle over their shoulder and onto their chest. It is important for candidates to lean
their weight forward and move at a rapid yet safe pace. Candidates are required to keep one hand on
the hose nozzle at all times. If candidates do not keep one hand on the nozzle they will be given a
warning. If the behavior continues the candidate will be required to start the event from the
beginning. At the completion of the event candidates are required to place the hose
nozzle in the designated area. If the hose nozzle is not placed within the designated area
candidates will be asked to go back and set the nozzle in the appropriate place.
After successful completion of the dry hose drag event candidates should walk to the next event.
Event number two, the charged hose deployment. Candidates advances a pre-connect inch and
three quarter charged hose line for 70 feet. When performing this event candidates should
place the nozzle over their shoulder and onto their chest. It is important for candidates to
lean their weight forward and move at a rapid yet safe pace. Candidates are required to keep one
hand on the hose nozzle at all times. When deploying the hose around the obstacles
candidates will be required to go over or past the obstacle and touch the designated area on
the course before making the turn. Acceptable methods for advancing the hose through the crawl
tunnel facing forward at all times turning backwards in the crawl tunnel at any point.
Candidates may not use the frames of the crawl tunnel to brace themselves to aid in advancing
the hose. At the completion of the event candidates are required to place the hose nozzle in the
designated area. After placing the hose nozzle in the designated area candidates should walk to the
next event. Event number three, the halyard raise. The candidate raises the fly section of a 24 foot
aluminum extension ladder. Candidates are required to brace one foot against the base of the ladder
also known as footing the ladder. If candidates do not properly foot the ladder they will be asked
to lower the ladder and begin the event again. Candidates may use one of two methods for raising
the extension ladder. A candidate may use a thumbs up, hand over hand raise, or a thumbs down
hand over hand raise. Candidates are allowed to use a two-handed method to begin the raise
but must continue the event with a hand over hand technique. Candidates are not allowed to
jump up and grasp the halyard. Both feet must remain on the ground at all times.
Candidates are not allowed to crouch down and use their lower body to perform the raise.
If the rope slips through the candidate's hands during the halyard raise the candidate must
restart the event from the beginning. If the rope slips through the candidate's hands a second time
during the halyard raise the candidate is disqualified from the test. After successful
completion of the halyard raise candidates should walk to the next event. Event number four, the
roof walk. The candidate ascends and descends a 10-foot distance walking slash crawling on the
rungs of a 12-foot straight ladder while carrying a simulated 23-pound chainsaw. Candidates are
required to touch every rung on the way up the ladder with at least one foot including the rung
designated with paint or tape at the 10-foot mark. If candidates skip rungs on the way up the ladder
they will be required to start the event from the beginning. Candidates are not required to touch
every rung on the way down the ladder. Candidates should proceed down the ladder in a manner that
is comfortable and safe. Candidates are not allowed to turn around and walk down the ladder.
If candidates fail to back down the ladder they will be required to start the event from the
point at which they turned forward. Candidates are allowed to slide the chainsaw along the
roof when backing down the ladder. Candidates may also carry the chainsaw when backing down the
ladder. The chainsaw must be returned to the designated area after the completion of the event.
If candidates do not return the chainsaw to the designated area they will be asked to put it in
the appropriate place before going to the next event. After successful completion of the roof walk
candidates should proceed to the next event. Event number five the attic crawl. The candidate
crawls a distance of 20 feet across a simulated attic area while carrying a simulated flashlight
in his or her hands. Candidates are required to pick up the simulated flashlight and proceed
across the attic prop staying below the barriers. Candidates may either crawl on their hands and
knees across the attic prop or crab walk on their hands and feet as long as the candidates stay
below the barriers. If a candidate knocks over a barrier the proctor will reset the barrier
and the candidate will start the event from the beginning. Candidates may not drop their hands or
feet through the joists touching the ground below the attic prop. If candidates touch the ground they
will be required to start the event from the beginning. Candidates must place the simulated
flashlight in the original designated box to signify the completion of the event. If candidates
do not return the flashlight to the designated area they will be asked to return it to the
appropriate place before going to the next event. After successful completion of the attic crawl
candidates should walk to the next event. Event number six roof ventilation. The candidate stands
on a pitched rooftop and strikes the roof 30 times with an eight pound sledgehammer.
For each strike the candidate is required to one raise the hammer above his or her helmet
and two maintain control of the sledgehammer at all times. Candidates will pick up the sledgehammer
from the designated area. Candidates can either place one foot on the footrest provided or stand
closer to the strike area if necessary. For each strike the candidates are required to raise the
sledgehammer above their helmet and strike the roof while maintaining control of the sledgehammer.
The number of strikes will be counted out loud by the proctor during the event.
Improper strikes will not be counted. An improper strike is one that is not raised above the helmet
or one in which control of the sledgehammer is not maintained at all times. If the sledgehammer
is brought above the helmet and then simply allowed to fall back down to the prop the
candidate is not maintaining control of the sledgehammer. After completing the event the
sledgehammer should be placed in the designated area. If candidates do not place the sledgehammer
in the designated area they will be asked to return it to the appropriate place before going
to the next event. After successful completion of the roof ventilation candidates should walk
to the next event. Event number seven victim removal. The candidate drags a 170 pound dummy
for 18 feet. The dummy will have straps or a harness. The candidate drags the dummy
nine feet in one direction goes around a cone and drags the dummy an additional nine feet back to
the starting point. There are several methods that may be used during this event. The dummy
drag under arms. The candidates may grab the dummy underneath the arms lift the torso of the
dummy off the ground and drag the dummy around the course. They can use the dummy drag over arms.
Candidate may grab that grab the dummy over the arms lift the torso of the dummy off of the ground
and drag the dummy around the course. The candidate may use the dummy drag one or two arms
candidate may grab the dummy by one or two arms and drag the dummy around the course.
Candidates may also carry the dummy, although this method is the most time-consuming and strenuous.
Straps or webbing may be used during the dummy drag. Candidates may not drag the dummy by the
head, feet, or clothes. Regardless of the method used, candidates must move the dummy completely
around the cones and place the dummy back in the starting position. If candidates fail to carry or
drag the dummy completely around a cone, they will be asked to go back and properly maneuver
the dummy around the cone. If candidates fail to place the dummy back in the starting position,
they will be asked to go back and put the dummy in the proper place before proceeding to the next
event. After successful completion of the victim removal, candidates should walk to the next event.
Event number eight, ladder removal carry. Candidate removes a 14-foot aluminum straight
ladder from the mounted hooks, carries the ladder 54 feet around a diamond-shaped course,
and replaces the ladder to mounted hooks. There is a ladder drop box that extends from four feet
on either side of the ladder in front of it. The candidates can ground the ladder within the
designated four-foot area drop box immediately after removing it and or immediately before
replacing it. The ladder will not be allowed to touch the ground while it is being carried outside
of the straight ladder drop box. There are three methods that may be used when completing this
event. The high shoulder carry, the low shoulder carry, or the suitcase carry. During the ladder
carry, if in the proctor's opinion the candidate loses control of the ladder while carrying it
around the designated area, the proctor may intervene. The proctor will take the ladder
from the candidate, place it on the ground at the place where the candidate lost control.
The candidate can then pick the ladder up and continue. When replacing the ladder, both ends
of the ladder must be in control and off of the ground. If one end of the ladder hits the
ground during replacement, the proctor will assist the candidate in grounding the ladder
and the candidate will then be required to replace it properly. The ladder must be replaced on the
hooks in the original position. There will be rungs painted or taped on the ladder to assist
candidates in this process. If the ladder is not replaced in the original position,
candidates will be required to remove the ladder and place it in the proper position.
Candidates are not allowed to lean or brace the ladder against the wall during replacement.
If a candidate leans the ladder against the wall, they will be required to remove the ladder and
replace it properly. While performing this event, candidates are allowed two penalties. A penalty
includes any of the following. When candidates drop the ladder, when candidates lose control
of the ladder and the proctor assists in grounding, when candidates voluntarily ground the ladder to
gain stability and when the ladder falls over the neck of the candidate with the candidate's
neck between ladder rungs. In this case, the proctor will assist with the removal and grounding
the ladder. If a third penalty occurs, candidates will be disqualified. After successful completion
of the ladder removal carry, candidates should walk to the next event. Event number nine,
crawling search. Candid crawls on the ground floor along the wall for a distance of 60 feet.
Candid stands up and walks to the next event after completion. During the crawling search,
candidates are required to crawl on their hands and knees around the designated area on the ground
floor. Candidates may also crab walk along the floor. After completing the crawl, the candidate
must stand up and walk to the next event. Event number 10, stair climb with hose. The candidate
climbs the stairs carrying a high rise pack composed of 100 feet of inch and three-quarter hose.
They will climb up the stairs, turn around, come back down the stairs, and finish when they cross
the line. This is the last event. Candidates may skip steps on the way up the stairs. Candidates
must touch every step on the way down the stairs. There are two ways in which the hose bundle may be
carried. Candidates may put the hose bundle over their left or right shoulder and proceed up the
stairs, or candidates may also carry the hose bundle in their arms, although this method is not the
most efficient. Candidates are allowed to skip steps on the way up. Candidates are not allowed
to skip steps on the way down the stairs. Every step must be touched on the way down. If candidates
fail to touch a step with their foot, they will be required to go back and touch that step before
proceeding down the stairs. Once the candidate has ascended and descended the staircase, the candidate
crosses the finish line carrying the hose bundle. The candidate's time will then be stopped when
they cross the finish line. Once the candidate completes the test, they may then remove their
helmet, SCBA tank, turn out coat, and gloves. The candidate should then proceed to get their
post-test medical check completed.