Poteau Fire Department

New Recruit Process

Agility Test

You will have 10 minutes to complete the agility test. This test will be worth ⅓ of your final score. Applicants will complete the course while wearing bunker gear, helmet, leather gloves, and SCBA.  Applicants will be allowed to wear shoes or boots.  

Remember to prioritize safety and maintain control throughout the agility test. Approach each obstacle with confidence and precision, and ensure you’re fully aware of your surroundings and understand the task at hand. Your safety and effective performance are crucial.

Prior to the Physical Agility Test and after a 10 minute rest period at the end of the test, all applicants will have their vitals signs taken.  Vital signs must be within the following parameters:

Heart Rate:                 50-100 beats per minute

Blood Pressure:        Not less than 90/50 or greater than 180/90

Respiratory Rate:         12-26 per minute

Oxygen Saturation:        92% or greater

1. Roll and Unroll 50’ joint of 2.5” hose
2. Walk to the burn building.  Raise and lower a 16’ roof ladder and position against the burn building
3. Walk to the repelling tower. Pick up and shoulder a 50’ section of 2.5” high rise pack and carry up 3 flights of stairs.
4. Set the raised joint on the landing pad.  From the 3rd landing lift a 50’ section of 2.5” hose up from the ground below.  
5. Shoulder the 2.5” highrise pack and descend the stairs.  At the bottom of the stairs lay the pack down and proceed to the entrance of the burn building.
6. At the entrance to the burn building you will step onto the keiser sled and pick up the dead blow hammer.  You will drive the beam until it crosses the yellow line on the sled. Do not hook the beam with the hammer and drag it.  You must drive the beam with strikes from the hammer.
7. Proceed to the dummy and pick it up off the ground so that only the “heels” of the dummy are touching the ground.  Carry the dummy 20’ to the orange cone and then back to where it was picked up.  If you drop the dummy you must start again from the beginning of the exercise.
8. Time stops when you walk back to the starting point.

After completing the agility test applicants will be required to to the top of Ladder 136. Ladder 136 will be positioned at a 60 degree angle.

Written Test

Applicants will be tested over the material that was provided at the Orientation meeting.

The test accounts for ⅓ of the applicants final score.The test consists of 30 multiple choice and or fill in the blank questions.  Each correct answer is worth one point.  Maximum score is 30 points. The test must be completed in 1 hour.  Once the test has started you cannot leave the room.  

Interview

The oral interview accounts for ⅓ of the applicant’s final score.  Each applicant will interview with the committee.  All applicants will be asked the same questions. Each committee member will score the applicant based on their responses.  The committee will then average the scores of the interview for the final interview score to be used in the overall final score.

A composite score from the agility, written and interview will be calculated.   The committee will then make a recommendation to the rest of the department. The PFD will vote as a department to approve or deny a candidate.  If approved the City Council must then vote to approve the candidate.