Fire Fighter Testing | UW Fitness | University of Waterloo

Welcome to the UW Fitness Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) web site. This site will provide you with a detailed description of the CPAT and help you prepare for the test.

Fire fighting requires above average aerobic and anaerobic power, muscular strength and endurance, and flexibility. The Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) is designed to identify individuals who have the physical attributes to perform the job of a fire fighter.

Below is a list of Ontario Fire Departments that currently hold a CPAT license. As of July 1, 2009, we are awaiting confirmation on whether each of these departments is still using CPAT as their physical requirement for application purposes. We will continue to update the list as we receive confirmation from the following departments. Those departments from whom we have confirmation that they accept UW CPAT are marked with an asterisk * below.

For a list of all departments and licensed testing facilities, please see the IAFF website at http://www.iaff.org/HS/Well/statelist.htm

Burlington

Brampton

Caledon

*Cambridge

Collingwood

*Guelph

*Kitchener

Lincoln

Markham

Niagara-on-the-Lake

North Bay

Oakville

Orillia

*Ottawa

Pembroke

Port Colborne

*Stratford

Thorhold

Toronto

Toronto Airport Authority

*Waterloo

*Welland

Woodstock

The Fire Service Joint Labor Management Wellness-Fitness Initiative in partnership with the International Association of Fire Fighters and the International Association of Fire Chiefs have developed a protocol which allows for uniform testing of potential fire fighters. This is referred to as the CPAT or Candidate Physical Ability Test.

Fire departments wishing to adopt the CPAT are required to obtain a license from the IAFF and this involves completing a transportability study. The transportability study ensures that the physical demands of the CPAT accurately reflects those of the respective fire department. The transportability study can be conducted by fire department staff and is easy to complete. Fire departments interested in adopting the CPAT are encouraged to contact UW Fitness for more assistance in this regard.