For a fire fighter, the first 10 minutes at the scene are crucial. That's when the hose is dragged out, the ladder goes up and the battle through thick smoke and flames begins. For the Albany Fire Department, making sure their crews are up to the challenge is a must.
"The number one killer of firefighters right now is cardiac issues," says Deputy Chief Frank Nerney. "While we're fighting fires, while we're doing EMS calls, while we're lifting stuff. It's a tough job on the heart."
To guarantee their firefighters have the strength and endurance, they must pass the Candidate Physical Agility Test, or CPAT - a grueling physical exam that simulates those first 10 minutes. All professional firefighters in the state must pass it within 18 months on the job. But in 2004, the City of Albany became one of the few to make it an entrance exam.
"Roughly half of the candidates don't pass the test," Nerney says. "So we'd like to get that out of the way first before we invest a lot of money and time in training them."
This month, 43 recruits gave it a go. FOX23 News wasn't allowed in with the camera while they were taking it. But FOX23's Cait McVey got a chance to go through the test beforehand.
On actual test day, paramedics are always on hand because very often recruits get dehydrated and some even taken to the hospital. And the desire to pass the test and become a professional firefighter is just that strong.
"You'd have to drag me away to stop trying," Nerney says. "It's definitely worth it."
Thirty-four out of the 43 recruits that took the test this time around passed. But it's not over yet. Next they have to go through a psychological exam and a background check. Then, the department has to wait for grant money to come in from FEMA to see just how many out of the group they can actually hire.
