Dec 12, 2024
How do you ensure firefighters are physically ready to handle high-pressure, life-saving situations? At Langara College, the firefighter fitness evaluation program sets the standard for physical preparedness while promoting equity in hiring practices. Operated by the Department of Kinesiology, the program provides hands-on learning opportunities for students and fosters inclusivity in emergency services.
Meeting the demands of firefighting.
In partnership with the Work Physiology Laboratory at the University of Alberta, Langara’s program is designed to meet the unique physical challenges of urban firefighting.
Department chair Ryan Cawsey explains, “Firefighters require a certain level of physical fitness to perform tasks like climbing high-rise stairs, carrying heavy equipment, and rescuing victims under high-pressure conditions.”
The rigorous testing includes treadmill endurance in full gear, forcible entry simulations, and victim rescue drills. Candidates must meet minimum thresholds in these tasks to advance in their recruitment processes.
By providing a standardized measure of physical fitness, the program addresses a critical need in firefighting recruitment.
This test gives fire departments confidence that the candidates who pass are physically ready for the job while avoiding unnecessary bias in the selection process.
– Ryan Cawsey, Department Chair, Kinesiology
Fostering equity and inclusion.
A key feature of the program is its emphasis on equity, diversity, and inclusion in fire department recruitment process. Traditional physical tests often ranked candidates solely on physical performance, which inadvertently favoured certain demographics. “We needed to ask ourselves if high upper-body strength scores, for example, are truly reflective of a candidate's ability to perform the job safely and effectively,” says Cawsey. By emphasizing pass/fail outcomes instead of ranking candidates, the test ensures all applicants who meet physical standards can compete equally, fostering equity in fire department hiring practices.
Supporting aspiring firefighters and students.
The testing program is also significant for the candidates themselves. “For individuals exploring a firefighting career, passing this test can be a major confidence boost,” according to Cawsey. Many candidates enter testing uncertain about their abilities and leave feeling prepared for the job’s physical demands.
The program doesn’t just prepare firefighters – it also supports aspiring professionals and Langara students. Langara students, particularly those studying kinesiology, gain hands-on experience by assisting with the tests, preparing them for careers in fitness assessment and community health. “Our students love being involved,” shares Cawsey. “Not only do they gain valuable skills, but the program also generates revenue that supports student scholarships.”
Expanding impact and future goals.
Since launching as a pilot in 2021, the program has grown significantly, now serving 10 fire departments across the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island and conducting around 300 tests annually. Each session spans four intensive hours. Looking ahead, Langara is also exploring ways to expand its impact by incorporating workplace fitness testing for other physically demanding professions into its kinesiology curriculum.
A lasting contribution.
Langara College’s firefighter fitness testing exemplifies how academic-community collaboration can drive equity, inclusivity, and innovation. By combining rigorous testing with a focus on diversity, the program sets a benchmark for fitness evaluation in emergency services while offering students hands-on learning opportunities.
Want to be part of this transformative program? Students interested in assisting with firefighter fitness testing can contact the program by emailing firetest@langara.ca.
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