Previous Story
Volunteer firefighters set to undergo physical fitness tests
|
Posted on Feb 15 2005
The Commonwealth Ports Authority will conduct physical fitness tests on Feb. 19 and 26 for individuals interested in becoming volunteer firefighters.
CPA aircraft rescue and firefighting chief Stanley C. Torres said volunteers will be required to complete a one-mile run in 11 minutes, at least 40 situps in two minutes, and at least 30 pushups in two minutes.
The testing will be held at the Airport Fire Department from 9am to 11am, this Saturday and the next.
Those who pass the testing will undergo training and will be certified as firefighters.
“We need volunteers who are physically fit because firefighting is a strenuous job. All our firefighters do at least one hour of physical activity every time they go to work, so they don’t easily get exhausted when emergency comes,” said Torres, who is also the president of the recently formed Commonwealth Volunteer Fire Department Association.
The group was created to temporarily fill the positions left by U.S. Army reservists who were called to active duty.
The CPA airport fire unit had nine of its 25 personnel take military leave following the U.S. Army’s call for reinforcement. As a result, the airport, which used to have about 10 firefighters on duty at any given time, now has only six men working on each shift.
According to Torres, volunteer firefighters are expected to contribute one day of work every month and to serve as back-up personnel in case of a major disaster.
The first batch of about 40 volunteers will begin training later this month. The training will be done mostly at nighttime to accommodate participants who have day jobs, Torres said.
