Physical Pre-entry Test (PPT)
The New Zealand Fire Service has adopted the philosophy that physical testing should encompass a degree of job relatedness. That is, the test should be a measure of physical strength, fitness, endurance and agility while candidates perform tasks related to the operational role of a firefighter. Applicants for paid operational positions are required to pass the Physical Pre-entry Test composed of 8 job related scenarios, an aerobic capacity test and 4 tests of general strength and endurance.
Click here to view a video of the Physical pre-entry test.
Acceptable Performance Levels for the PPT
Successful completion of the PPT is defined as meeting or exceeding the minimum required level. This process indicates that a candidate is likely to have the physical ability to successfully perform essential job functions of firefighting, when properly trained. All operational firefighters undergo a similar fitness test every two years known as the Physical Competency Assessment (PCA).
Applicants will be responsible for maintaining their fitness to ensure they are able to repeatedly perform the physical demanding training evolutions throughout the recruits training course.
Click here to view more details on fitness test conditions
Assessment of the PPT will consist of:
Job Related Scenarios
The candidate will be timed from commencement of the first scenario until completion of the last scenario. The candidate's total time must be less than 8 minutes and 15 seconds.
Click here to view more details about this part of the test
Aerobic Test
All candidates will be required to step fully up and down a two step "step box" for a period of 3 (three) minutes at a rate of 120 steps /minute. Rate will be set using a metronome at 2 beats per second. Candidates who fall out of time will be allowed one cycle (2 steps up and 2 steps down) to catch up to the required cadence before the test will be stopped and candidates will be deemed to have NOT passed the test.
Click here to view more details about this part of the test
General Strength & Endurance Tests
The candidate will be required to perform shoulder presses, grip strength tests, dead lift tests, and press-ups.
Click here to view more details about this part of the test
How many people do the PPT, and how many pass?
At the PPT stage the Fire Service will test approximately 360 applicants on the PPT, and on average around 80 - 90% of them will pass.
Click here to read about the next stage in the Recruitment process.