The Physical Ability Test, also known as the PAT, is designed to simulate tasks that firefighters will be performing on the fire ground. Any firefighter candidate should take this test serious by staying in good physical conditioning all the time. The five tasks include:

1. High Rise Stair Climb: The candidate will start at a marked point on the ground floor. A high rise pack shall be placed on the shoulder. The candidate shall climb up to the fifth floor, and place the high rise pack in the designated. Contact must be made on every step. Proceed to the Hoist Task.
2. Hoist Exercise: After ascending to the fifth floor, the candidate will hoist a 50 feet 3” hose roll to the fifth floor using a hand over hand method. Pull the hose roll over the stair rail/roof edge and place it on the landing. Thereafter, the candidate will pick the high rise pack and walk back to the ground without skipping any steps. Proceed to the Forcible Entry Task.
3. Forcible Entry: The candidate will be pick up a ten pound dead blow hammer, and drive a heavy weight five feet to a designated mark. Proceed to the Hose Advance Evolution Task.
4. Hose Advance Evolution: The candidate will pick up a hose nozzle and place it over their shoulder, and drag a charged 1 ¾” hose line straight forward 75 feet without dropping the nozzle. Proceed to the Victim Rescue Task.
5. Victim Rescue: Pick up a 175 pound dummy, and drag it, walking backwards only, 100 feet to a marked line.

These five tasks have a time limit, usually 7 minutes. The candidate must complete the five tasks in the time limit, or the candidate shall fail. Automatic disqualifications will occur if unauthorized stops are made during the test or if the candidate quits.

Candidates should become thoroughly familiar with the tasks they will be expected to perform. They should also prepare physically through a perpetual physical conditioning program and consult with a doctor.