Preparing for the Firefighter's Abilities Test - FFAT

Firefighter Abilities Test (FFAT) Video

Each event must be performed in the order specified below.
(You will be timed)

Event 1: High Rise Pack Carry The abilities test starts at the base of the tower. The timer starts when you pick up the high-rise pack. Carry the hose pack (42 lbs; 19 kg) (may be carried in any manner) up the drill tower interior stairs five stories (48.5 vertical feet) and deposit it into the blue square marked on the top floor. The handrails may be used in climbing the tower. Applicants must hit every step ascending and descending stairs in the tower.

Event 2: Hose Hoist A 42-pound (19 kg) donut roll of large diameter hose and 5/8-inch (16mm) kern mantle rope is used for this event. The applicant is not allowed to stand on anything other than the top platform while hoisting. The evolution is complete when the roll clears the railing at the top of the tower and is placed on the platform. The donut roll must stay on the top platform. When descending the tower, the applicant must make contact with each step and grasp the handrail.

Event 3: Forcible EntryThe forcible entry evolution utilizes the Keiser Force Machine™ (a chopping simulator). Using the 9-lb. (4 kg) shot mallet provided, the applicant must drive the 160-lb. (72.5kg) steel beam a horizontal distance of five feet (1.5m). Pushing, raking or hooking the beam is not allowed; only the head of the mallet is allowed to strike the beam. The handle must not come in contact with the beam at any time.

Event 4: Hose AdvanceThe applicant must pick up the nozzle end of the 1 3/4” (4.45cm) charged hose line and drag it a distance of 75 feet (22.8m). Once the nozzle crosses the threshold 75 feet away, the applicant places the nozzle on the pavement.

Event 5: Victim RescueA 165-175-pound (79.4kg) mannequin must be dragged backwards a distance of 100 feet (30.5m). Carrying the dummy is not permitted. Time stops when the applicant and victim completely cross the finish line.

The Course Marshal, at his sole discretion, may stop any competitor who, in the official's opinion, creates or is in a dangerous or unsafe condition.

Task CompletionAll applicants are personally responsible for the completion of each task. No course volunteer has the authority to instruct an applicant in the negotiation of the events on the course; only the Course Marshal can intervene or direct the actions of an applicant. In those rare situations where the event staff may have created an impediment, the options to rectify this situation may include a deduction in time to remedy the hindrance.