Above / Naperville is one of only four CPAT administrators in the State of Illinois, adding to the list of distinctions at the Naperville Fire Department.
Naperville is now one of only four locations in the State of Illinois licensed to test the physical ability of firefighter candidates looking for employment.
The Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) is a standardized test that many departments nationwide, including the Naperville Fire Department, require during the application process as a predictor of an applicant’s ability to perform basic firefighting tasks.
Until recently, the test was only administered at three Illinois locations – Decatur, Glenview and Indian Head Park.
Naperville will administer the CPAT at 1200 W. Ogden Avenue beginning in January.
“Our fire department, along with many others throughout the United States, places a great deal of importance on this test as a way to recruit quality candidates,” said Naperville Fire Chief Mark Puknaitis. “We’re pleased to be able to house a test site in Naperville to potentially give some applicants a more convenient test location as well as the opportunity to train for this test with skilled Naperville firefighters as their proctors.”
Session #1 / Feb. 18 – April 9, 2017
The Candidate Physical Ability Test consists of eight activities, which candidates must complete in less than 10 minutes and 20 seconds while wearing a hard hat, gloves and a weighted vest to simulate the weight of firefighting equipment. Exercises include a stair climb, hose drag, equipment carry, ladder raise and extension, forcible entry, search, rescue and ceiling breach and pull. Success is measured on a pass/fail basis.
To ensure that all candidates have an equal opportunity to succeed, the CPAT includes an orientation and mentoring process that begins eight weeks prior to the test. This process involves an explanation of the test and its physical demands, recommendations of training and conditioning drills, and an opportunity to preview and practice the exercises with trained proctors.
More information about the CPAT program in Naperville and how to register for the first session, which begins with an orientation on Feb. 18 and culminates with a final test on April 9, can be found at www.naperville.il.us/cpat.
News submitted by Kelley Munch for the Naperville Fire Department.
