Eagle Pass Firefighters take Yearly Mandatory Agility & Strength Test

By: Jose G. Landa, Copyright 2014, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.

Eagle Pass Fire Department firefighters and emergency medical technicians are the first line of defense in the community in the event of a fire, accident, or catastrophe.  To prepare for these emergencies, local firefighters and emergency medical technicians train year round including a mandatory strenuous agility and strength test which must completed within five minutes.

During the month of April, the Eagle Pass Fire Department conducts its mandatory agility and strength test on all firefighters and those involved in fire suppression within the department.

Each firefighter must pass this test in order to continue working in the local fire department.

In an exclusive interview with the Eagle Pass Business Journal,  Eagle Pass Fire Department Training Officer Felix Carrasco explained the mandatory agility and strength test required of all local firefighters on an annual basis.

“On a yearly basis we must conduct an agility test for all firefighters including entry level firefighters,” said Carrasco.

“The test is to evaluate on performance, agility and strength. Every year firefighters must be cleared medically and then they must conduct the agility and skills test,” added Carrasco.

“The test is issued and consists of them being fully bunkered ( firefighter wear). The test consists of climbing approximately the equivalent of a four story building  with over 80 pounds of equipment and then they must hoist another additional 40 pounds of firefighting equipment (hoses) up to two more building stories, to test their upper strength,” said Carrasco.

“After that, they must navigate their way to another skill and strength test (the Keyser) which simulates the use of an axe to break into a roof or wall for ventilation purposes in a real life scenario,” said Carrasco.

“They must then move the Keyser beam a total of five feet in order to complete this part of the exam,” added Carrasco.

“Upon completion of that test, they must then drag a training dummy that weighs 180 pounds of dead weight for a total of 100 feet. Once they complete that task they must walk 30 feet to the next stage through an obstacle course of cones that are sectioned in a zig –zag motion,” said Carrasco.

“After that course is finished and passed, the Firefighters must then pick up a firefighting hose that is fully charged at 150 psi and must then carry and/or drag the hose for a total 75 feet. They must complete this agility test under, five minutes,” added Carrasco.

Carrasco stated that throughout the whole year firefighters are being prepared as they have a mandatory physical training course on a daily basis. This preparation is part of a daily routine that allows each Emergency responder to be ready for what they know one day will come.

Firefighters and Emergency Technicians are always training and also attend different courses or classes on emergency skills as many of the firefighters employed by the City of Eagle Pass are also certified Emergency Medical Technicians as well.

Local firefighters must pass all of their tests to continue being employed by the City of Eagle Pass.

The Eagle Pass Fire Department is under the leadership of Fire Chief Jesus Rodriguez.