Sydney Fire Forums

by **mike** » Sun Jun 21, 2009 9:22 am

Fitnesst tips for NSWFB physical aptitude test, application advice (retained) etc

by Jason on Sunday, 21.June 2009

Hey folks,

(I know this is a bit off-topic from the general gist of this website)

I've been lurking on this forum for a few months now and i've applied to become a retained fire fighter. I've spent the last month getting fit and I can do most of the test except for firefighter rescue and the beep test i can only get about 7.5-7.9ish.

Does any one have any tips, some have suggested i do crossfit, fatlek, etc.

Also I haven't been interviewed yet, i spoke to the region office and they said there currently looking over a number of applications for the station, however they only have 1 position to fill and i have limited day avaliability at 4.5/7 days and all nights, should i give up?

Cheers,

NB: Sorry about the double post please remove the other.

Jason
Posts: 3

Re: Fitnesst tips for NSWFB physical aptitude test, application advice (retained) etc

by AB on Sunday, 21.June 2009

Jason im pretty sure you dont have to do either the beep test or the fitness test for retained only permanent, unless in your medical your body mass index (BMI) is to high then you have to do the beep test, not sure if this has changed, I have only seen it happen once in my time.
Dont give up the brigade traditionally take their time with recruitment and as for the dayshift availibility all the adverts say that, id say that if your availible 4.5 days out of seven then you should be pretty right.

AB
Posts: 30

Re: Fitnesst tips for NSWFB physical aptitude test, application advice (retained) etc

by Quiny on Sunday, 21.June 2009

I would have to agree with AB on the BeepTest, have not heard of too many Retained applicants doing the BeepTest unless there are questions about their MBI.

I have heard where Retained Stations that have received a number of applicants for limited positions, and the Brigade has put all applicants through the fulfil Physical Aptitude Test to find the most suitable applicant.

As for as the FireFighter Rescue, don’t try to lift the Dummy of the ground such as throwing it over your shoulder, get it from behind with your arms under the armpits holding onto the opposite wrist to yours, and drag the dummy backwards, that is how we are trained to do it.

As for Day Time availability, it really comes down to the Retained Stations needs. If they need more members with day time availability, they will recruit applicants to meet that need. With 40% of the Brigades Overtime Bill being Retained Shortages, they are becoming more selective in recruiting people who have day time availability, they love stay at home mums.

Quiny
Posts: 47
Grant (Quiny)

Re: Fitnesst tips for NSWFB physical aptitude test, application advice (retained) etc

by Luke on Sunday, 21.June 2009

Just had a few new guys go through ALL done the beep test (I have a NSWFB copy if your interested in doing it at the local park from the car I did before I had done it) you also you go to the NSWFB health services and do a breathing, hearing and cardio test the boys say its all pretty simple. Also check your joints knees and elbows, grab you on the testies and cough. Fingers crossed you get the blonde one

Good Luck what station you applying for?

Luke
Posts: 118

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Re: Fitnesst tips for NSWFB physical aptitude test, application advice (retained) etc

by Jason on Sunday, 21.June 2009

Hmm, the station (fully retained, except for the SO) crew gave me the impression that the beep test and full Physical Aptituide Test (PAT) was compulsory, they even asked me if I wanted to do the beep test with them. I presume the Blue Mountains/Hawkesbury zone office, now requires the beep test and full PAT for Richmond station, etc due to the high demand.

I guess I better clarify if it's required or not in the interview. When I applied I remember a staff member saying that the Beep test and PAT would occur about on average 3 months (3 months seems to be quite a lengthy period of time) after the interview if I was successful, and that if I fail I would be given another opportunity to pass it. Hmm, I guess the requirements differ from region/zones?

Luke: I'm applying for Richmond (82), I thought about applying for Windsor (81) at the time as well since vacancies for both opened up at the same time, but unfortunately I didn't. I could have moved in with a friend two doors down from the station, but yeah I didn't live within 3km at the time of application. I would have had a great turnout response time if did make it into Windsor though .

Thanks for the NSWFB beep test copy offer, I downloaded the one from the defence jobs website, I'm pretty sure they would be using the standard Australian 20m shuttle version.

by **Andrew** » Sun Jun 21, 2009 10:53 pm

I've done the beep test a number of times through different activities and things I've done.

Not to sound like I'm bragging or being big headed, but I've reached level 12 before, though my average is around 10.

What i try to do is pace myself, and reach the higher levels is by:
- taking long, deep breaths
- taking fairly long strides/steps
- i wouldn't starting running until you hit level 4/5+, you can jog in the earlier levels.
- as it gets past level 6, remember the two first points to breath and take fairly long strides in your run/jog.

I'm not a long distance runner myself, I can't run more than a few ks (straight) without getting exaushted, but i've been working on an excercise plan for myself to get that up, What i'm doing is starting out with 1k a day, running that few times a week, then increasing it by 1km each week in hope to improve my cardio.

Anyway, Hope this helps you somehow.

by AB » Mon Jun 22, 2009 1:58 am

As Quiny said I would think the reason why you might have to do the beep and pat test would be because of the amount of people that applied for the job, I have only ever seen one retained firie do the beep test and there was four people apply for that job, he had to do the beep test because of his body mass index.
I wouldnt think that how busy a stn is would have anything to do with it, but I have been wrong before

by **Luke** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 4:16 am

It has nothing to do with the calls the station does or the amount of people that go for the position. 4 positions 3 applicants and they ALL have to do the beep test. Was done tonight and must reach level 8 Step 7 I had to do L9 S6. None of these guys are big fella's so I guess it's just become a compulsary thing.

by AB » Mon Jun 22, 2009 4:30 am

Luke sounds to me that since the FBEU demanded for more retainded to counter act In Orders 2008/22 that the brigade is making it a little harder for new recruits.

by **woozy** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 4:52 am

Hmm, thanks for the advice, I will do more running, but at the local running track from now on so I can time my laps. If it only wasn't for all this rain we've been having recently

! I also hate running on the treadmill so that makes it hard to run esp since we've had 3-4 weeks of bad weather recently, i've only used them twice in the last two years (on and off) that i've been gymming it, especially after seeing too nasty accidents with them in the gym recently.

I've also been training in the gym with weights, etc for PAT, do you think it will come up, or will it most likely just be the beep test? My BMI was 24.6, now it's 25

but that gain has been in lean muscle mass, from taking too many protein shakes after my workouts), he he :roll:

.

by **woozy** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 9:25 pm

I spoke to Richmonds SO today, apparently 10 people are going for 1 position at Richmond (81), yikes! Also it looks like I will have to do the beep test if i get passed the interview short list and get through.

Also Windsor had 5 vaccancies, 5! I am really kicking my self in the teeth for not applying there as well! The SO, pretty much said I would have been guaranteed given my avaliability, SES experience, etc, etc and their chronic shortage. They are currently relying on Permo's to fill the retained shortages there. Interviews just took place last week for Windsor, so hopefully I will recieve my interview soon.

by **Andrew** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 10:21 pm

If you get denied for 82, ask if you can apply for 81.

I'm sure you wouldn't have to go through the same process, not again.

by **Luke** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 2:56 am

Andrew wrote:If you get denied for 82, ask if you can apply for 81.

I'm sure you wouldn't have to go through the same process, not again.

You don't know the NSWFB well enough then...

by **koori_one3** » Sat Nov 21, 2009 2:15 am

I am currently in the process of completing my medical so I can do the PAT for Retained and was informed that the new standard for NSWFB Retained FF's is 8.7 on the shuttle run, followed by a shortened version of the Firefighter Task Course...NSWFB website is yet to update the info!!!

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