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East Liverpool Fire Department test applicants to fill two positions

By KRISTI R. GARABRANDT 5 min read

EAST LIVERPOOL --East Liverpool Fire Chief Bill Jones and the firefighters of the East Liverpool Fire Department spent Saturday morning conducting agility test for the six applicants applying for two available firefighter/EMT positions within the fire department.

The applicants are Jared Yanik, Dyaln Campbell, Kevin Minamyer, Cassidy Crooks, Nathaniel Ketchum and John Urban.

The six applicants who have already completed the written test were divided into two groups and were tested in 10 different areas to measure their abilities. The applicants were tested on the jump, sit-ups, ladder climb, Hose Life, ladder lift, hose advance, hose stack, balance beam, stair climb and victim rescue.

The jump, which determines coordination, agility and ability to handle body weight, required the applicants to make a chalk mark on the wall at arm's length by reaching over their heads and then from a standstill jump to make a higher mark on the wall. The two marks are required to be at least 14 inches apart.

Next, the applicants had to complete 25 bent knee sit-ups without stopping.

The ladder climb, which is a must pass test, allowed the applicants to demonstrate the ability to climb and not be afraid of heights. Applicants climb a 75-foot aerial ladder positioned at a 50-degree angle. Passage of this is required due to fear of heights severely limiting a firefighter's effectiveness.

To determine upper body strength applications using a rope had to lift a 50-foot section of 3-inch hose up three stories using the hand-over-hand method while wearing a turnout coat and SCBA (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus) harness with tank.

To test arm strength, applicants had to unlock and remove a 14-foot roof ladder which weighed approximately 30 pounds from the ladder rack of a truck and set it on the ground and then lift the ladder back to the rack and lock it in place.

The hose advance required applicants --while wearing a turn out coat and SCBA harness with tank --to run 100 feet to the hose nozzle and return the nozzle while dragging a fully charged (filled with water) 100-foot long, 3-inches in diameter hose back to the starting line before discharing the water proved to be the most challenging for the applicants. This test was conducted to determine the stamina of the applicants.

To test leg and back strength, applicants had to lift one at a time 10 rolled sections of 3-inch hose weighing approximately 30 pounds from the ground to the back of a truck and then return them to the ground.

Applicants also had to wear a turnout coat and SCBA harness with tank and carry a rolled section of hose while walking the length of a 20-foot balance beam that was 3-and-a half inches wide and then turn and walk back to the starting point.

The stair climb was another test to measure stamina. Applicants -- while wearing a turnout coat and SCBA harness and tank --were required to carry up the steps to the second floor of the fire station a fire extinguisher weighing approximately 50 pounds, a first aid kit weighing approximately 17 pounds, one roll of hose weighting approximately 30 pounds, an exhaust with an approximate weight of 45 pounds and a 4,500 PSI carbon SCBA cylinder weighing approximately 25 pounds and then return each item to the ground floor.

The final test, the victim rescue simulated removing a person from a smoke-filled building. The applicants had to drag a dummy victim 50 feet, then move it around an obstacle and return back to the starting point.

Applicants needed to score a minimum of 90 out of 150 possible points to pass.

Jones noted at the end of the test that four of the six applicants were confirmed as passing and the other two will be discussed with Civil Service to check on their scores.

Those who passed can move on to the interview stage. Interviews will be held before a panel consisting of the chief, assistant chief and either the lieutenant or the captain. To ensure fairness across the board all applicants interviewed will be asked the exact same questions.

Determination of who will be hired will be based on the results of the written test, agility test and how they interview.

Firefighters present during the agility testing will have some input in the hiring decision.

"This is a good process that has worked for us, and we have gotten some pretty good guys using this process," Jones said.

The need to hire more firefighters/EMTs stems from the loss of a couple firefighters due to competitive wages offered by other departments.

The chief said he thought the applicants were a good group and that he has some pretty good choices to pick from once they go through the interview process which he expects to take place at the end of September or the beginning of October. Once all the interviews are complete the department will make a decision on the two who are hired.

Jones is hoping to have the new hires on staff by mid-October. They will be hired on as entry level firefighters/EMTS but will eventually be required to become paramedics. Those who don't have their certifications will be sent to school for training by the department.

kgarabrandt@mojonews.com

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