Recruitment process

Shuttle run

Firefighters are required to maintain a high level of cardiovascular fitness to ensure they have the physical and mental capacity to perform firefighting tasks for long periods. As part of the application process, candidates are required to undertake a physical fitness (shuttle run) test designed to measure their level of cardiovascular fitness.

ASSESSMENT

The shuttle run test involves running continuously between two points that are 20 metres apart. These runs are synchronised with a recording, which beeps at set intervals. As the test proceeds, the interval between each successive beep decreases, requiring the candidate to increase their speed over the course of the test until level 9.6 is achieved. The test will take approximately nine minutes to complete and comprises of 78 single shuttles.

PREPARATION

Guidelines for the physical fitness and firefighting aptitude tests have been created to assist candidates to physically prepare for the fitness tests, however, candidates can use their own fitness programs.

For information on the Shuttle Run, please view the Fitness Preparation page