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CPAT - DEPARTMENT INFORMATION
THE CPAT
The International Association of Fire Fighters and the International Association of Fire Chiefs have jointly created a standardized test that assists fire departments throughout North America recruit candidates who are physically capable of performing essential job tasks. This test - the CPAT - is acknowledged as a reliable indicator of an individual’s ability to function at the fire scene.
The CPAT was developed after years of research and input from an international committee comprised of IAFF and IAFC members. The test requires firefighter candidates to engage in the following activities:
All of these exercises must be completed in less than 10 minutes and 20 seconds. Candidate success is measured on a pass/fail basis. Throughout the CPAT, candidates wear a hard had, gloves, and a 50-pound vest to simulate the weight of a self-contained breathing apparatus and firefighter protective clothing.
To ensure that all candidates have an equal opportunity to succeed, the CPAT includes a Pre-Test Preparation Program that begins eight weeks prior to the test. This process involves an explanation of the test and its physical demands, recommendations of training and conditioning drills, and an opportunity to preview and practice the test.
The CPAT is a legally defensible and legitimate tool for assessing eligibility for employment. In addition to being endorsed by the IAFF and IAFC, the test meets validity criteria established by the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the U.S. Department of Justice, and the U.S. Department of Labor.
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THE CPAT AT NIPSTA
The Northeastern Illinois Public Safety Training Academy (NIPSTA) is a licensed administrator of the CPAT. The test is offered year-round at an indoor location on a 20-acre Campus in Glenview, Illinois.
NIPSTA is an intergovernmental agency that offers a one-of-a-kind cooperative approach to emergency preparedness and response. The specialized CPAT equipment and the trained CPAT personnel are available on-site to provide a convenient and affordable means of assessing individual physical ability.
NIPSTA delivers the CPAT in accordance with strict guidelines prescribed by the IAFF and IAFC. Candidates receive the mentoring and orientation that help them to successfully complete the test. This results in a larger and more qualified pool of candidates who are eligible for employment in the fire service.
Dozens of fire departments in Illinois now include the CPAT in their firefighter candidate recruitment process. NIPSTA offers two easy and economical options for more departments to realize the benefits of CPAT: The Candidate-Funded CPAT and the Department-Funded CPAT.
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CANDIDATE-FUNDED CPAT
Local fire departments may defer the entire cost of the CPAT to the candidates. In so doing, the departments simply direct individuals to NIPSTA and define the timeline by which the test must be successfully completed. NIPSTA offers the CPAT on a monthly schedule, allowing candidates the opportunity to meet department's immediate needs.
Candidates will then be responsible for registering and scheduling themselves into the CPAT process at NIPSTA. Each candidate will have the ability to participate in the Pre-Test Preparation Program (two Orientation Sessions within eight weeks of the Test & two timed practice runs within 30 days prior to the Test) and a Test. The Pre-Test Preparation Program includes mentoring from trained NIPSTA personnel, and access to specialized CPAT facilities and equipment.
An administration fee of $99 is assessed by NIPSTA to each candidate who registers for the CPAT. Upon successful completion of the test, candidates will receive a CPAT identification card, which may be presented to the fire department upon request. The department may, at its own discretion, independently verify the CPAT identification card issued by NIPSTA.
There are not any fees assessed to fire departments that choose this Candidate-Funded Option. However, the IAFF does require that each department apply for a no-cost CPAT license and conduct a routine transportability study to ensure that the CPAT test adequately measures the skills and abilities required for employment. Assistance in fulfilling these obligations is available upon request from NIPSTA.
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DEPARTMENT-FUNDED CPAT
Local fire departments also have the option to assume the cost of the CPAT. NIPSTA offers the CPAT on a monthly schedule, allowing departments the opportunity to meet their immediate scheduling needs.
Candidates are scheduled by departments based on the NIPSTA CPAT schedule allowing for the eight- week Pre-Test Preparation Program , which includes two scheduled orientations, two practice runs, and the test. The orientations and practice run sessions allow for mentoring from trained NIPSTA personnel, and access to specialized CPAT facilities and equipment. Upon completion of the test, the department receives from NIPSTA a confidential report of candidate results. A CPAT identification card is not provided to the candidates.
An administration fee of $129 per candidate is assessed by NIPSTA to each department - but NIPSTA member departments pay only $79 per candidate. Participating departments are required to provide emergency medical support services during the CPAT orientations and the test.
Significant cost savings may be realized by multiple departments cooperatively schedule sessions on the same dates. The CPAT administration fee that is assessed to each department is reduced for candidates who seek employment with more than one department. This results in the fee being divided among the departments involved.
There are not any fees assessed to candidates in this Department-Funded Option. However, the IAFF does require that each department apply for a no-cost CPAT license and conduct a routine transportability study to ensure that the CPAT test adequately measures the skills and abilities required for employment. Assistance in fulfilling these obligations is available upon request from NIPSTA.
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CPAT INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEOS
Complete CPAT Instructional Video
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CPAT SCHEDULE
CPAT ORIENTATIONS, PRACTICE RUNS, & TESTS ARE SCHEDULED ON THE FOLLOWING DATES:
November 8 , 2008 |
March 7, 2009 |
July 11, 2009 |
December 6, 2008 |
April 11, 2009 |
August 8, 2009 |
January 10, 2009 |
May 9, 2009 |
September 12, 2009 |
February 7, 2009 |
June 13, 2009 |
October 10, 2009 |
Times are determined between participating departments & NIPSTA.
ORIENTATIONS: Departments must offer two Orientations during the eight-week period preceding the CPAT Test.
PRACTICE RUNS: Departments must allow candidates to perform two timed Practice Runs approximately 30 days prior to the CPAT Test.
TESTS: Additional Testing days will be scheduled as may be necessary.
NOTE: Candidates are not required to participate in the Pre-Test Preparation Program (Orientations & Practice Runs) prior to the CPAT Test, but it is highly recommended.
Click here for a printable CPAT brochure.
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ILLINOIS DEPARTMENTS UTILIZING CPAT
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