Are You as Tough as a Springfield Firefighter?

This week, passed a law establishing a hiring and promotional procedure for the township’s Fire Department. 

Mostly, the ordinance sets ratings, licensing requirements and procedural details for promotions. But one section lays out the physical requirements for joining the department. And while there’s some wiggle room in its scoring system—applicants earn or lose points depending on how well they complete tasks—it’s no joke.

• Candidates must be able to complete a half mile run in 4.25 minutes (pass/fail). 
• 75-foot aerial ladder climb (pass/fail).
• Timed Dummy drag. Candidates earn 25 points for dragging a 125-lb mannequin for 75 feet in seven seconds or less. They lose a point for each half-second they go over the seven-second mark.
• Timed Roof Ladder Serpentine. Candidates carry a 14-foot ladder through a 200-foot course. They get 25 points if they complete the course in or under 25 seconds and lose a point for each half a second they go over 25 seconds.
• Timed Hose Drag. Candidates have to drag a 150 foot-long and 2.5 inch-wide hose 50 feet in seven seconds or less. They lose a point for each half a second they go over seven seconds.
• Timed Stair Climb. Candidates are required to carry a coiled 50-foot length of 1.75 inch fire hose up three flights of stairs in seven seconds or less. They lose a point for each half a second they go over seven seconds.

A total of 70 points is needed to pass.