Shannon W Unit 6: Fitness testing and Training for the uniformed Public services P1
Task 1 P1:
British Army: To join the British army as a soldier, everyone is required to complete an army
entrance test before going onto starting their phase one training. This will include various stamina
and strength tests; for example, a jerry can carry (Carry one jerry can in each arm weighing 20kg
each, for 150meters in under 2 minutes), a static lift (lifting power bags which will vary in weight
from 15kg- 40kg to a height of 1.45m) and 1.5 mile run (The target time ranges from 9 minutes 18
seconds to 14 minutes depending on an individual’s gender and regiment they are looking to join.
However, the times on the entrance test are different to the regiments requirements. The minimum
time on the entrance test for males is 14 minutes while females on the other hand is 16 minutes).
However, these tests may vary depending on what role and regiment the candidate is looking to
join. Once they have passed the entrance test, they are also required to keep training to maintain
their fitness during their career, whatever their role may be. This will include PT lessons numerous
times a week which can consist of runs, gym work (for example; males have to complete 42 press
ups and 53 sit ups, etc.) battle PT- runs with 20kg jerry cans- one in each arm, static lifts, as well as
lifting and carrying a buddy in the fireman’s lift. Forces, such as the Para’s/ commando’s and marines
(Navy) are required to be much quicker and train harder due to them being elite forces.
Fire service: The entrance fitness test for the fire service challenges you in six different areas. These
include: Enclosed spaces; to challenge the candidate’s agility and confidence in confined spaces (The
candidate must crawl through a measured crawl way within a set time limit while in full PPE, this
includes wearing a breathing apparatus face mask. The candidate will also be asked to carry out
other specific tasks during this test). Equipment assembly; to prove the candidate can assemble and
dissemble equipment (The candidate must follow coloured diagrams in order to assemble and
dissemble the given equipment). Equipment carry; this tests the candidate’s aerobic fitness, stamina
and muscular strength (In this test, the candidate must pick up and carry a 2.4 meter hose for 100
meters then jog back about 25 meters. They will then be required to pick up a 30kg simulated light
portable pump for 100 meters. After that they will carry one coiled hose, at chest height, for 25
meters, and then jog back. Finally, The candidate will drag a hose reel for 25 and then jog back.). A
ladder climb is used to test how well the candidate’s confidence is when working at heights (To do
this they must ascend a fully extended 13.5 meter ladder and then demonstrate a ‘leg lock’).
Casualty evacuation; this tests the candidate’s upper and lower body strength and your ability to be
able to drag a casualty (The candidate must be wearing full PPE and they are required to drag a 55kg
casualty while walking backwards around a 30 meter course). Finally the ladder lift; this tests the
candidates lower and upper body strength. (The candidate must be wearing full PPE and a required
to firstly raise a bar around 75cm off the ground to a height of 182cm.)
After the candidate completes their entrance fitness test, they will be required to complete different
phases of training throughout their career of being a fire fighter. These include: basic training,
acquisition phase (This covers most of the basic core skills around; ladders and pumps, breathing
apparatus, road traffic collisions, fire prevention and casualty care.), application phase (This will be
carried out by a selected station as an operational fire fighter and grants them with a level 3 NVQ in
fire service operations in the community) and maintenance phase (This basically means that the
training doesn’t stop here and that they are required to keep doing training, such as strength
training using free weights and cardiovascular exercises etc.) as well as maintaining a very high level
of fitness.
Task 1 P1:
British Army: To join the British army as a soldier, everyone is required to complete an army
entrance test before going onto starting their phase one training. This will include various stamina
and strength tests; for example, a jerry can carry (Carry one jerry can in each arm weighing 20kg
each, for 150meters in under 2 minutes), a static lift (lifting power bags which will vary in weight
from 15kg- 40kg to a height of 1.45m) and 1.5 mile run (The target time ranges from 9 minutes 18
seconds to 14 minutes depending on an individual’s gender and regiment they are looking to join.
However, the times on the entrance test are different to the regiments requirements. The minimum
time on the entrance test for males is 14 minutes while females on the other hand is 16 minutes).
However, these tests may vary depending on what role and regiment the candidate is looking to
join. Once they have passed the entrance test, they are also required to keep training to maintain
their fitness during their career, whatever their role may be. This will include PT lessons numerous
times a week which can consist of runs, gym work (for example; males have to complete 42 press
ups and 53 sit ups, etc.) battle PT- runs with 20kg jerry cans- one in each arm, static lifts, as well as
lifting and carrying a buddy in the fireman’s lift. Forces, such as the Para’s/ commando’s and marines
(Navy) are required to be much quicker and train harder due to them being elite forces.
Fire service: The entrance fitness test for the fire service challenges you in six different areas. These
include: Enclosed spaces; to challenge the candidate’s agility and confidence in confined spaces (The
candidate must crawl through a measured crawl way within a set time limit while in full PPE, this
includes wearing a breathing apparatus face mask. The candidate will also be asked to carry out
other specific tasks during this test). Equipment assembly; to prove the candidate can assemble and
dissemble equipment (The candidate must follow coloured diagrams in order to assemble and
dissemble the given equipment). Equipment carry; this tests the candidate’s aerobic fitness, stamina
and muscular strength (In this test, the candidate must pick up and carry a 2.4 meter hose for 100
meters then jog back about 25 meters. They will then be required to pick up a 30kg simulated light
portable pump for 100 meters. After that they will carry one coiled hose, at chest height, for 25
meters, and then jog back. Finally, The candidate will drag a hose reel for 25 and then jog back.). A
ladder climb is used to test how well the candidate’s confidence is when working at heights (To do
this they must ascend a fully extended 13.5 meter ladder and then demonstrate a ‘leg lock’).
Casualty evacuation; this tests the candidate’s upper and lower body strength and your ability to be
able to drag a casualty (The candidate must be wearing full PPE and they are required to drag a 55kg
casualty while walking backwards around a 30 meter course). Finally the ladder lift; this tests the
candidates lower and upper body strength. (The candidate must be wearing full PPE and a required
to firstly raise a bar around 75cm off the ground to a height of 182cm.)
After the candidate completes their entrance fitness test, they will be required to complete different
phases of training throughout their career of being a fire fighter. These include: basic training,
acquisition phase (This covers most of the basic core skills around; ladders and pumps, breathing
apparatus, road traffic collisions, fire prevention and casualty care.), application phase (This will be
carried out by a selected station as an operational fire fighter and grants them with a level 3 NVQ in
fire service operations in the community) and maintenance phase (This basically means that the
training doesn’t stop here and that they are required to keep doing training, such as strength
training using free weights and cardiovascular exercises etc.) as well as maintaining a very high level
of fitness.
