PEORIA (25News Now) – The Peoria Fire Department is putting potential employee abilities to the test to prepare them for the actual test that determines whether they can move to the next phase in the recruitment process.

This year, the Peoria Fire Department had over 190 people submit applications to join the team. Assistant Fire Chief Tony Cummings estimates that 20% of people will fall out.

Potential recruits go through an orientation, interview, written test, and physical ability test, which is the most common point of failure.

“Part of the [Candidate Physical Ability Test] test is, we put them on a step mill at a slower cadence with 75 pounds on them, and then they have to walk for about three and a half minutes, and that’s where the fall off generally starts,” said Cummings.

To limit the number of people who fall out of the recruitment process, the department formed a new fitness team to prepare them for the daily physical demands of the job.

Those demands include the stability to wear 80 pounds of gear, the endurance to fight a fire, and the strength to carry patients who need help.

“Through that CPAT testing process, we can see who’s physically strong to do the job,” Cummings said.

As previously reported, the Peoria Fire Department is fully staffed with 171 firefighters bringing boots on the ground.

However, if the department experiences a retirement or promotion and a spot opens up, Cummings said having people ready and certified to join the team is crucial.

Potential recruit Jake Bumgardner said he’s hopeful the fitness class will prepare him for the CPAT so he can give back to his community.

“At first, you think, ‘Oh, I’ll be okay,’ but then you see how strong [the firefighters] are, and you’re like, ‘Man, I really need to step it up,’” said Bumgardner.

The fitness training sessions run every Tuesday and Thursday from now through the Summer of this year. People interested in learning more about the class can call Peoria Fire Central at 309-494-8700 and ask for Fire Chief Shawn Sollberger.

A starting Peoria firefighter makes $58,000 a year, working 24 hours on and 48 hours off cycle.

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