I am a "serious walker" too and 5.2 ain't even on the radar, not even close.

 

About 4.5 is close to the limit, maybe 4.7 but that is it.

If an average 180-200 pound guy is overcome by smoke, laying on the 5th floor of a burning building, chances are pretty good that someone who failed the physical exertion test to become a firefighter is not going to be able to lift and carry him out of harms way. I have no doubt that this firefighter would give every effort and may even die trying to save a life, but I would hate to be the guy that needed to be carried out in this situation.

Edited December 29, 201510 yr by WhoozYoDaddy
typo

If an average 180-200 pound guy is overcome by smoke, laying on the 5th floor of a burning building, chances are pretty good that someone who failed the physical exertion test to become a firefighter is not going to be unable to lift and carry him out of harms way. I have no doubt that this firefighter would give every effort and may even die trying to save a life, but I would hate to be the guy that needed to be carried out in this situation.

 

I have been in a burning building trying to get people out (the Police often get to the fire a couple of minutes ahead of the Fire Department) and I absolutely agree with your assessment. The smoke got to me once, it will scare the life out of you.

I was wrong...talked to walking partner at work, fastest times were closer to 17 minutes for fastest 1.3 miles

I was wrong...talked to walking partner at work, fastest times were closer to 17 minutes for fastest 1.3 miles

 

Much more like it. Still a very fast pace, but one that is doable. :thumb:

I guess the NYFD has a reason why this race / test is a part of the criteria for being a fireman, however, I trying to think of a reason as to why a fireman would have to run 1.5 miles on the job. Doesn't seem like it is something that would be required in an actual fire very often if at all. Seems like running a much shorter distance in full gear or climbing several flights of stairs in full gear would be a better indicator of fitness / or lack thereof to do the job.

 

Stairs.

 

Its NYC with lots of highrises. In a fire the elevators shut down and the firefighters have to accend via stairs - in full gear and equipment.

 

If you can not do a level 1.5 12 minute mile then you probably can not get up the stairs of a 20 story building in gear and do your job when you get to the fire.

Yeah, that's a pretty insane pace. If I do a "walk" on the treadmill, I'll do 4.0-4.5 mph pace. What he's saying is over a 5.2 mph pace. That's freakishly quick to walk.

 

A few years ago Mrs. doomer and I were in the Keys, and we went for a jog along an abandoned part of the highway that ran out to an island. It was two miles each way. I was working with a strained calf so I was only a 10 to 12 min pace. This young lady was race walking, and I didn't keep up with her.

Delete

Edited January 1, 201610 yr by capt278

I have been in a burning building trying to get people out (the Police often get to the fire a couple of minutes ahead of the Fire Department) and I absolutely agree with your assessment. The smoke got to me once, it will scare the life out of you.

 

I'm with you Guru.

 

I was a FF/Paramedic for 25 years. All of the equipment and gear we wore weighed near 40 lbs. Crawling in a burning building with the gear is a sobering experience, much less without it.

 

My last 5 years on the job I was a training officer at the academy. We had a similar situation to this one. Recruit couldn't do some of the physical testing as well as other issues. HR pretty much forced the Dept. to graduate the recruit. They just didn't want to hear it would put other FF's in danger.

 

Political correctness is running rampant in our society.