ACT Firefighter Aptitude flashcards
ACT Firefighter Aptitude · Build recall with a focused review session.
32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.
- CPAT total time limit
- Candidates must complete the entire eight-event CPAT course in 10 minutes 20 seconds or less, wearing a 50-pound vest, to earn a pass.
- CPAT stair climb load
- The stair climb runs 3 minutes at 60 steps per minute on a StepMill while the candidate carries an added 25 pounds, totaling 75 pounds.
- CPAT hose drag distance
- The hose drag requires advancing a charged hose line 75 feet, then dragging the nozzle an additional 75 feet from a 200-foot hose length.
- Forcible entry sledgehammer
- Candidates use a 10-pound sledgehammer to drive a 165-pound sled a total of 5 feet by striking a strike pad repeatedly.
- CPAT search crawl
- The search event requires crawling 64 feet through an enclosed tunnel maze on hands and knees while following the marked path.
- Rescue drag mannequin weight
- The rescue drag uses a 165-pound mannequin that must be dragged 35 feet to the finish; lifting or carrying the mannequin is not allowed.
- Ceiling breach and pull
- Using a pike pole, the candidate pushes a 60-pound hinged door upward and pulls a 60-pound ceiling panel down for the required cycles.
- CPAT equipment carry
- Candidates carry two saws or similar tools around a marked course and back to the starting point, testing grip and core stability.
- Ladder raise event
- The candidate raises an extension ladder hand over hand to a wall, then extends it by pulling the halyard until it locks.
- CPAT pass or fail scoring
- The CPAT is scored pass or fail, not by points; completing all eight events within the time limit constitutes a passing score.
- Pacing over sprinting
- Because the CPAT is timed end to end, candidates who sprint early often fail the stair climb or final ceiling pull from exhaustion.
- Physical test medical clearance
- Many departments require a physician's clearance before the physical ability test to confirm the candidate can safely perform strenuous exertion.
- Hiring process sequence
- The typical sequence is application, written exam, physical test, oral interview, background check, medical and psychological exams, then academy.
- Written exam content areas
- Firefighter written exams commonly test reading comprehension, mathematics, mechanical reasoning, spatial relations, and situational judgment or human relations.
- Norm-referenced scoring
- Written exam scores are often ranked against other candidates in the same hiring cycle rather than against a fixed passing percentage.
- Minimum education requirement
- Most fire departments require a high school diploma or GED; many also prefer or require EMT certification, fire science coursework, or military service.
- Age eligibility rules
- Minimum hiring age is usually 18; maximum-age limits in some jurisdictions have been reduced or removed as unlawful age discrimination.
- Background investigation scope
- Background checks review criminal history, driving record, credit, employment history, and references; disqualifying offenses vary by jurisdiction.
- Medical evaluation purpose
- The medical exam screens for cardiovascular fitness, vision and hearing standards, and conditions that would prevent safe use of SCBA or protective gear.
- Psychological evaluation
- A psychologist evaluates personality, stress tolerance, and emotional stability to confirm suitability for emergency response work under pressure.
- Oral interview board
- A panel of officers and personnel asks structured questions scoring communication, teamwork, motivation, and problem solving under time pressure.
- Eligibility list
- Candidates who pass all stages are ranked on an eligibility list by combined scores; departments hire from the list as vacancies occur.
- Typical hiring timeline
- Recruitment commonly takes three to twelve months from application to academy start, depending on department size and budget cycles.
- Polygraph examination
- Some departments administer a polygraph to verify applicant honesty about criminal history, drug use, and employment records before hiring.
- Recruitment cycle reapplication
- Failing a single stage usually ends the process for that cycle; candidates may reapply in later cycles if eligible under department rules.
- Driver's license requirement
- Most departments require a valid driver's license with a clean driving record, since firefighters operate emergency vehicles and apparatus.
- Residency preference
- Some departments give hiring preference to candidates living within city or county limits, though residency requirements have become less common.
- Veteran preference points
- Many civil service systems award additional ranking points to honorably discharged veterans during written exam scoring and list placement.
- Fire academy duration
- Recruit academies typically run twelve to sixteen weeks of physical training, fire behavior, hose and ladder work, and emergency medical instruction.
- Conditional job offer
- A conditional offer is extended after interviews but before medical, psychological, and background clearances are finalized and confirmed.
- Situational judgment questions
- These written exam items present workplace scenarios and ask candidates to choose the most appropriate response, testing judgment and teamwork.
- Mechanical reasoning section
- Mechanical reasoning items test understanding of levers, pulleys, gears, and basic tools rather than memorized firefighting procedures or codes.