Mesa Fire Department Candidate Physical Ability Test ©

Event 6:  Search

This event uses an enclosed search maze that has obstacles and narrowed spaces.  It simulates the critical task of searching for a fire victim with limited visibility in an unpredictable area.  This event challenges aerobic capacity, upper body muscular strength and endurance, agility, balance, anaerobic endurance, and kinesthetic awareness.

For this event,
the candidate crawls through a tunnel maze that is approximately 3 feet high, 4 feet wide, 64 feet in length, and has two 90° turns and multiple obstacles.  In addition, there are two locations where the dimensions of the tunnel are reduced.  If at any point the participant chooses to end the event, he/she can call out or rap sharply on the wall or ceiling and will be assisted out of the maze although doing so will result in failure of the event.  Failure also will occur if the candidate requests assistance that requires the  opening of the escape hatch or opening of the entrance/exit covers.

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