FESS is adopting CPAT!
At the September 2007 meeting of the Volusia County Fire Chiefs Association, the decision was made to adopt CPAT as the physical ability test for new candidates. FESS will still be overseeing the physical agility testing. With the adoption of CPAT, there are legal steps that have to be taken before the new test can be implemented. For this reason, there will be no FESS testing until the Spring of 2008.
The FESS process will still include a written exam along with the practical. The written exam will be a standardized test designed by IPMA. It will measure reading comprehension, memory, and reasoning ability. CPAT will serve as the only practical portion of the FESS process. There will no longer be individual skill stations such as have been included in the past. CPAT is conducted under the direction of the International Fire Chiefs Association and certain criteria must be met. One of these is a mandatory orientation to CPAT that is held 8 weeks prior to the actual testing date. At the orientation you will have an introduction to the CPAT test and be given an opportunity to practice the skills required. There will also be training given regarding exercises to prepare for the actual test. The written exam will also be given on this first day of orientation. The second day of orientation will be held 4 weeks prior to the exam and will give you a chance to measure your progress, as well as further opportunity to practice the skills required.
Take a look at the CPAT Orientation Guide and the CPAT Preparation Guide to help you get ready for the next FESS process.
FESS will be open to Florida State certified Firefighter EMT's and Paramedics. You will notice this change: No candidates are permitted to test unless they hold BOTH their Florida Certificate of Compliance for Firefighter AND their EMT or Paramedic certificate. There will no longer be a provision for current students to test. All applicable certifications must have been issued by the state of Florida.
Dates have not been set for the Fall 2008 testing. Please check the website periodically to see when dates are scheduled.
Click on the Orientation icon and the Physical Test icon for more details about the process.
NOTE: The primary purpose of FESS is to screen candidates for employment with one of the 14 participating fire departments. If you wish to receive a CPAT certificate that you can present to fire departments outside FESS, there will be an additional fee imposed by Volusia County Fire Services. Contact VCFS at (386) 239-6427 for information regarding the cost of a CPAT certificate.