Firefighter Hiring Process

Application

To apply, complete your BTFD Application using the Online Application Portal.

If you are currently certified as a National Registry EMT or Paramedic, you may submit a copy of your current NREMT card with your BTFD Application.

Physical Aptitude

Firefighting is physically demanding. The Recruit Firefighter Physical Aptitude Test measures your ability to perform a series of events that functionally resemble fire ground activities.

General Information:

Applicants will wear a full self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), excluding the face piece, for all timed components of the RFPAT.

Applicants are encouraged to wear athletic shoes, long athletic pants, and a tee-shirt. You will be performing various types of physical activities; therefore you should not wear clothing that will hinder your performance. Applicants can be expected to get wet and dirty during the performance of the skills listed.

BTFD will provide leather firefighter gloves and a hard hat at the test site for each applicant to use while completing the test. You may not bring your own gloves or helmet for use during the test. BTFD staff may inspect and disallow any apparel or equipment to ensure its use does not affect the fairness of the test.

All timed components listed will be timed in series. The test has a cutoff time of greater than eight minutes (8 min.) and failure to complete the test in the allotted time will result in disqualification. Running will not be allowed during any portion of the test. Applicants will receive a warning and any failure to heed will result in disqualification.

During the test, a proctor will be assigned to time each Applicant. Applicants may ask the proctor questions regarding the course layout prior to beginning and while on the course, however, proctors are not permitted to provide Applicants of their event time.

Download the RFPAT Guide below.

• Un-timed Station A: Ladder Climb. Applicants are required to climb to the top of a 35 foot extension ladder set at an approximate elevation of 70 degrees against a structure. Applicants are then required to descend the ladder to the ground. Applicants will be fitted with a safety harness and belayed for safety. Upon satisfactory completion candidates will proceed to un-timed Station B: Tunnel Crawl. * Not practicable during Applicant Preparation Program.
• Un-timed Station B: Tunnel Crawl. Applicants will be fitted with a protective helmet and darkened SCBA facepiece. The Applicants will be required to crawl into the tunnel and will continue to the end of the tunnel. Applicants will then be directed to the timed portion of the test.
• ** Not practicable during Applicant Preparation Program.**
• Timed Station 1: Hydrant Open/Close. Applicants are required to fully open and fully close the operating nut on a fire hydrant using supplied hydrant wrench. Applicants will proceed to Timed Station 2: Forcible Entry.
• Timed Station 2: Forcible Entry. Applicants will be required to grasp the supplied sledge hammer and strike the supplied Forcible Entry Door Prop to “open” the door. Applicants will then proceed to Timed Station 3a: Stair Climb with High-Rise Pack.
• Timed Station 3a: Stair Climb with High Rise Pack. Applicants will pick up a high-rise pack, place it over their shoulder, and proceed to the 4th floor of the training tower. On arriving at the 4th floor candidates must descend with the high-rise pack to the 2nd floor for Timed Station 3b: Hose Hoist. After completing the hose hoist Applicants must pick up the high rise pack and continue the descent to the ground level. Applicants will proceed to Timed Station 4a: Ladder Extension.
• Station 3b: Hose Hoist. After descending to the 2nd floor landing, Applicants will place the high rise pack into the designated area. Applicants are then required to hoist a 2½” hose roll to the second (2nd) floor landing with a rope, supplied for this purpose. Once the hose roll has been successfully hoisted, the Applicants shall then pick up the high-rise pack descend down the stairs and place the high-rise pack in the designated area. Applicants will proceed to Timed Station 4a: Ladder Extension.
• Station 4a: Ladder Extension. Applicants will raise the fly section of a 24-foot extension ladder using the halyard. The ladder is secured to the training tower. Applicants will use the hand over hand technique to extend the fly section of the ladder beyond the line marked on the side of the ladder. Applicants will then lower the fly section down using the hand under hand technique without the rope sliding through their hands. Applicants will proceed to Timed Station 4b: Ladder Raise.
• Timed Station 4b: Ladder Raise. Applicants will rung raise a 16-foot roof ladder by ‘walking it up’ using a hand-over-hand technique using the ladder rungs. The ladder will be lowered in the reverse manner. The ladder is secured to the ground using a pivot system that will keep the base of the ladder in place. Applicants must ‘walk’ the ladder all the way to a vertical position and all the way back down to the ground using the rungs of the ladder. Applicants must not drop the ladder or grasp the rails of the ladder at any time. Applicants will proceed to Timed Station 4c: Ladder Carry.
• Timed Station 4c: Ladder Carry. Applicants must lift a 24-foot extension ladder from its rack, carry the ladder twenty-five (25) feet, round a cone, carry the ladder back twenty-five (25) feet, and place the ladder back in its rack. Applicants must not drop or drag the ladder and must properly place the ladder back in its rack. Applicants will proceed to Timed Station 5: Hose Drag.
• Timed Station 5: Hose Drag & Couple. The attack line prop simulates the weight and friction of advancing a charged 1¾” hose line. Applicants must advance the attack line prop a distance of 50 feet using the 1¾” hose line with nozzle coupled to the primary coupling, then uncouple the hose line from the primary coupling position, then re-couple 1¾” hose line the secondary coupling position, and then advance the attack line prop again for a distance of 50 feet using the 1¾” hose line with nozzle coupled to secondary coupling position on the attack line prop. Applicants may pick up the hose line in a manner that will allow placement over either shoulder, allowing three to four feet (3’ – 4’) in the front of Applicant. This component is completed when the attack line prop crosses the “Finish” line. See Hose Coupling Diagram below. Applicants will proceed to Timed Station 6: Hose Swap.
• Station 6: Hose Swap. Three (3) sections of rolled hose will be placed in a box. Fifty (50) feet away are three (3) additional sections of rolled hose in a second box. Applicants will swap the hose in the boxes. Applicants will proceed to Station 7: Crew Member Rescue.
• Station 7: Crew Member Rescue. Applicants will carry or drag a human form dummy weighing approximately 180 pounds for 25 feet, around a cone, and then back across the starting point for a total distance of 50 feet. In order to complete this station, Applicants and the dummy must both completely cross the finish line.
• Allotted Time: Applicants will have eight (8) minutes to complete all timed stations of the Recruit Firefighter Physical Aptitude Test. Time will be kept by a test proctor. Time will begin when the hydrant wrench first moves, and will end when the rescue dummy crosses the finish mark.
• Scoring: Any Applicant that completes the course in the allotted time will pass this stage of the evaluation process. There is no advantage in seeking to complete the test in a time significantly lower than the allotted time.

*BTFD reserves the right to alter or modify any portion of the above described test in the District’s sole discretion at any time.

Applicant Preparation Program

Dates for the practice sessions will be announced to applicants with completed applications.

All sessions held at: BTFD Training Facility 19 Ulmer Road, Bluffton, SC 29910.

Pre-Screening Exam

Candidates must satisfy pre-screening requirements in reading comprehension and math using an approved standardized test. We currently use the Work Keys/WIN career readiness assessment and require Gold level scores or above. If you already have valid WIN or Workkeys assessment certificate, please include it in your application. Candidates will be asked to complete this assessment following successfully completing our Recruit Firefighter Physical Aptitude Test.

Interview

Applicants that pass the Recruit Firefighter Physical Aptitude Test may be invited for an oral interview before the Hiring Committee.

Disclaimer

No Policy or Provision in This Website, Employee Manual, or Marketing Material is Intended to Create a Contract Binding the Employee or the Employer to an Agreement of Employment for a Specific Period of Time. A Worker's Employment Can Be Terminated by Either the Employee or the Employer at Any Time, for Any Reason, With or Without Notice. No Representative or Agent of the Employer, Can Authorize or Sign an Employment Agreement Contrary to the Above Terms or Otherwise Make Any Binding Offer of Employment or Associated Benefits or Rights for a Specific Term.