To apply to become a Burbank firefighter, you’ll need to pass the CPAT (Candidate Physical Ability Test) before your first interview and again when you're being considered for hiring. If you qualify, you’ll be invited to interview with the Fire Chief and take a physical test called the Biddle Exam, which is given by the Burbank Fire Department.
CPAT Exam
The CPAT is required for the firefighter position, and you must provide proof of passing the CPAT. This position is one of the most physically demanding jobs and requires high levels of cardiopulmonary endurance, muscular strength, and muscular endurance.
The CPAT is a timed pass/fail test that consists of eight separate events:
- Stair Climb
- Hose Drag
- Equipment Carry
- Ladder Raise & Extension
- Forcible Entry
- Search
- Rescue
- Ceiling Breach & Pull
During the CPAT, you must progress along a predetermined path from one event to the next in a continuous manner. Participants wear a 50-pound vest to simulate the weight of a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and firefighter protective clothing. An additional 25 pounds (using two 12.5-pound weights that simulate a high-rise pack hose bundle) is added to your shoulders for the stair climb event. You have 10 minutes and 20 seconds to complete all 8 tasks.
Requirements
Applicants must be 18 years of age and must show government issued photo identification.
Locations
The Firefighter Candidate Testing Center (FCTC) administers the CPAT on behalf of the California Firefighter Joint Apprenticeship Committee administers in Southern California. Visit www.fctconline.org/cpat/ for more information.
It is your responsibility to schedule and pay for your CPAT.
Biddle Exam
The Burbank Fire Department requires eligible candidates to pass the Biddle Exam, which we will administer. There is no cost for this exam.
The Biddle Exam consists of 11 consecutive events that must be completed within 9 minutes and 34 seconds or less.
- Dry Hose Deployment: Candidate advances 150-feet of 1.75-inch dry hose with nozzle, around two obstacles.
- Charged Hose Deployment: Candidate advances charged 1.75-inch hose with nozzle, 70-feet, 32-feet of the hose deployment involves stooping or crawling while advancing the hose into a narrowing hallway.
- Halyard Raise: Candidate raises and lowers the fly section of a 35-foot aluminum extension ladder one time.
- Roof Walk: Candidate ascends and descends a 14-foot ladder attached to a simulated-pitched roof with a chain saw in his or her hand.
- Attic Crawl: Candidate crawls a distance of 20 feet across a simulated attic-joist floor, while carrying a simulated flashlight in his or her hand.
- Roof Ventilation: Candidate stands on a simulated-pitched roof and strikes a padded area 30 times with an 8-pound sledgehammer.
- Victim Removal: Candidate carries or drags a 154-pound dummy around two obstacles 13 feet apart.
- Ladder Removal/Carry: Candidate removes a 24-foot aluminum extension ladder from mounting bracket, carries the ladder around a diamond shaped course 54 feet long and replaces the ladder back on the mounting brackets.
- Stair Climb with Hose Pack: Candidate ascends to the fourth floor of the tower, using the stairs, carrying a 49-pound hose pack. Drops the hose pack and performs event 10. Candidate then descends the tower using the same stairs, to the first floor carrying the hose pack.
- Attic Crawl: Candidate crawls on hands and knees on the fourth floor of the tower for a distance of 60 feet. This will be done when candidate is performing event 9.
- Hose Hoist: Candidate will ascend to the third floor of the tower using the stairs, carrying 2 air bottles weighing 29 pounds (connected with a 2-foot strap). After dropping off the air bottles, the candidate will then hoist up a 100-foot section of extended 1.75-inch hose line with nozzle, up and through the window, picking up the air bottles and descending the tower to the finish line, ending the test.
