Steps to registering for a POPAT/PARE/SOPAT testing date:

1) Select upcoming test date you would like to register for.

2) How to register:

Online

We offer a safe and secure online registration system. Register online at beactive.usask.ca.

1. Sign in.

New users to USask Rec, or if you don't have an NSID you will need to create an account before you can log into our online registration system. Once you create an account, you must activate your account via the link that will be sent to your email. Please log into your existing account through the sign in page.

2. Add to your cart.

Select Active Adults under Classifications, the appropriate Semester, HPC under Category and POPAT Testing (or appropriate testing such as Sopat or Pare)..

Proceed to checkout.

3.  Checkout

Complete your purchase by completing the credit card and billing information. Print the confirmation page for your records. We accept all major credit cards.

If you are unsuccessful or have any questions about our online registration, please email our USask Rec office usaskrec@usask.ca.

3) Ensure medical form is signed by a doctor prior to test date.

4) Once you receive confirmation of registration, on the day of your test:

• Arrive early to give yourself ample time to fill out forms.
• Bring one piece of government issued photo ID.

Price: TBA

Testing Location: Physical Activity Complex

HPC and the College of Kinesiology performs testing services as a non-bias and independent party. Testing results and safety information are released to the third party agency to make their own hiring and recruitment decisions independently.

*Applicants MUST bring Medical Clearance Forms to participate. Please arrive to/meet in the location as listed above.

York Firefighter Fitness Assessment Medical Component

All these components must be passed to continue to the aerobic component.

The medical component includes:

• Visual Acuity (20/30 in each eye uncorrected OR NFPA Standard, as specified by municipality)
• Depth Perception (Stereopsis Test)
• Colour Vision-Ishihara (City University Test or Farnsworth D-15 Test also accepted- if you have failed Ishihara before, please bring a copy of one of these tests from your optometrist)
• Hearing (Audiometer, NFPA Standard),
• Lung Function (Spirometry, NFPA Standard)
• Pre and Post-Exercise Blood Pressure & Heart Rate

Aerobic Fitness Component

Aerobic fitness is measured directly using expired air analysis while running on a treadmill. The speed and incline are gradually increased until the candidate reaches his/her maximum intensity. This test is designed to measure endurance or "work capacity".  The test speed will be between 7.0 – 8.0 mph and the grade will increase 2 degrees every 2 minutes.

The aerobic component must be passed to continue to the Job-related Performance Components.

Eight Job-related Performance Components

 The tests are designed to simulate the physical demands of a firefighter's job which requires both muscular strength and endurance.

1. Ladder Climb

Wearing a 20 lbs cylinder from an S.C.B.A. (self-contained breathing apparatus), you will climb a 40 ft extension ladder, uncouple and re-couple a wall-mounted hose connection, then climb down the ladder. This test assesses fear of heights (acrophobia) and manual dexterity. It is scored on a pass/fail basis - it is not timed.

2. Search Enclosed Area

Wearing a blacked-out face piece, you will be locked in a confined area for a time to be determined by the tester. While you are confined, you will be instructed by the tester to reach up to the top, left front corner and count the number of washers on a bolt sticking out of the wall. You must then call out the correct number to the tester. This test detects fear of confined areas. It is scored on a pass/fail basis - it is not timed.  

Note: During the remaining tests you will be wearing a 32 lbs. vest plus 8 lbs. weights on each ankle. These weights approximate the heaviness of the protective clothing and SCBA worn by firefighters. You will be timed when you perform all tests except the Ladder Lift Test.

3. Hose Carry/Climb

You will lift and carry over your shoulder a 85 lbs. bundle of hose up and down five flights of stairs. This test simulates carrying equipment to the staging areas of a high-rise fire. It assesses dynamic balance, muscular strength of the upper body and back, plus muscular endurance and power of the legs.

4. Rope Pull

Using a rope, you will hoist and lower in a hand-over-hand manner a 50 lbs. weight a height of 50 ft. This test simulates hoisting fire fighting equipment to and from windows or roofs. It assesses manual dexterity plus the muscular strength and endurance of the upper body and back.

5. Hose Advance/Drag

You will pull a 140ft-lbs (measure of force) load which simulates 2 charged 2.5inch hose line (a hose line that is ready to discharge water), a distance of 50 ft. This test assesses leg power and muscular strength of the upper body.

6. Ladder Lift

You will remove and replace a 56 lbs ladder from brackets mounted approx. 6ft. above the floor. This test simulates the demands involved in numerous fire fighting activities (ie. pike poling, removing ladders from aerial beds, etc.) which require working at or above chest/shoulder height. It assesses muscular strength and endurance of the upper body and back. It is scored on a pass/fail basis - it is not timed.

7. Victim Drag

You will drag a 200 lbs. "victim" a distance of 50 ft while weaving in and out of traffic cones placed every 10 ft. This simulates rescuing a downed firefighter wearing full turn-out gear. It assesses upper body, back, plus lower body muscular strength, agility and dynamic balance.

8. Forced Entry

 In this test you are required to move a heavily weighted tire a distance of 12 inches, until the tire contacts the wall, by hitting the tire repeatedly with a 10 lb sledge hammer. This task simulates a forced entry through a door or wall and requires upper body strength, upper body endurance and motor ability. The height of the table is the height of a door handle and also the height at which a sledgehammer or axe is normally swung during a forced entry. Moving a tire of this weight a distance of 12 inches has been documented to require the same amount of sledge hammer work as breaking through a door or wall. The tester will record the total time taken to complete the task.