January 4, 2005 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH2005-01) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION R. Steve Huffman Public Information Officer (251) 208-5806/Fax: (251) 208-5813 E-Mail: huffman@cityofmobile.org FIRE OFFICIALS CONDUCTING FIREFIGHTER ENTRANCE EXAM Approximately 250 firefighter candidate hopefuls will be tested from Monday, January 3 until Wednesday, January 5, 2005 at the Greater Gulf State Fairgrounds on Cody Road. The candidates, who have passed the written portion of the entrance exam, are being given the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT). Mobile Fire-Rescue Officials are assisting the Mobile County Personnel Department in giving the test, which is a pass/fail exam. All potential firefighter candidates must pass each phase of testing to move to the next testing level. The job of a firefighter is one of the most physically demanding jobs in North America. It requires high levels of cardiopulmonary endurance, muscular strength and muscular endurance. The CPAT test consists of eight critical physical tasks that simulate actual job duties on the fireground. This test is physically demanding and requires that candidates be physically fit to be successful. This test is intended to ensure successful candidates are of the highest caliber expected by the citizens of the Mobile as well as other departments in the County who make the significant investment in a Firefighter’s career. ###