Selection procedure at the Wiesbaden professional fire department
The work of the fire department is demanding and requires physical fitness, mental resilience and the ability to work in a team. To ensure that applicants are suitable for these tasks, the Wiesbaden Fire Department carries out a multi-stage selection process.
Selection procedure at the Wiesbaden Fire Department
The Wiesbaden Fire Department would like to give all interested parties the opportunity to obtain comprehensive information in advance about the aptitude test for the fire department. The work in the emergency services is very demanding - both physically and mentally. The recruitment test is therefore an important part of the selection process.
Once your application documents have been checked and the formal requirements have been met, you will receive an invitation to the aptitude test. This consists of several sections: a theoretical test, a sports test and a practical test. If you pass all parts, you will be invited to a personal interview.
Before you are finally hired as a fire department officer, you will also undergo a medical aptitude test to ensure that you are up to the many demands of the job.
Theoretical part
The first step is the theoretical test, which is carried out on a separate day. Depending on this result, invitations to the next test stages are issued.
General comprehension test
This test is used for general understanding of facts and logical thinking.
Type: multiple choice.
German test
This test is used to check written German language skills.
Version: multiple choice.
Math test
This test is used to check basic arithmetic operations and general understanding of text problems.
Version: Written version without the aid of calculators or similar electronic aids.
Civics
This test is used to determine general knowledge in the area of forms of government, state powers and ruling ministers, etc.
Version: Written version.
Practical part
Selection procedure Lifting a concrete block
Turntable ladder climbing selection procedure
Respiratory protection route
The practical test is made up of different disciplines. Here are some examples:
Making a workpiece
This test serves to determine manual skills and technical understanding.
Execution: Practical execution with the tools and work equipment provided for this purpose
Lifting a concrete block
This test is used to determine technical understanding, strength and dexterity.
Execution: Practical execution with the tools and equipment provided.
Turntable ladder climbing
This test is used to determine freedom from vertigo and physical endurance.
Execution: Practical ascent of a fully extended turntable ladder. Climbing is carried out using a safety harness and safety line.
Breathing protection course
This test is used to determine fears in confined spaces, dexterity and teamwork skills.
Execution: Practical run through the breathing protection course. The breathing apparatus is not connected to the mask.
Physical aptitude test
Sports test
The physical aptitude assessment (sports test) is based on the scientifically developed test procedures of the German Sport University Cologne. Central abilities such as endurance, strength, speed, reaction, coordination and balance are tested and assessed in a total of nine disciplines. The order of the exercises can vary during the recruitment test.
The sports test at the Wiesbaden professional fire department is carried out according to the specifications of the Cologne Sports University. For applicants without regular training, we recommend the training program of the Cologne Sports University, which specifically prepares you for the requirements of the aptitude test.
Disciplines
Balancing
Starting position:
Assume the starting position in front of the flat box
Execution:
Climb the balance beam over the box
Run over the beam and step over the medicine ball
Pick up the sandbag (weight 5 kilograms) - transport the sandbag with one hand to the start of the beam - after half a turn, transport it back with the other hand - put the sandbag down
Run over the beam and descend over the box
Two attempts
Sources of error:
Transporting the sandbag with both hands, missing hand change
Knocking over the medicine ball
Leaving the beam, jumping off instead of dismounting
(DFFA, 2010)
Minimum requirement: ≤ 50 seconds
Push-ups
Starting position:
Push-up position in front with arms outstretched
Hands shoulder-width apart on the floor
Legs closed, body tensed
Execution:
On command, lower your body with your arms straight (for 2 seconds) until the elbow angle is 90 degrees
On command, stretch the arms to the starting position (duration 2 seconds)
Possible control of movement execution: With arms stretched out, a cord in the neck area must be touched with each repetition
Sources of error:
Lack of body extension
Incomplete arm extension/flexion
Lowering the upper body or legs
Minimum requirement: twelve repetitions
Alternating jumps
Starting position:
Standing sideways next to the bar (height of the bar 33 centimeters)
Execution:
Jump over the pole on both legs, sideways
Each individual alternating jump within 30 seconds is counted
Two attempts
Sources of error:
One-legged jump
Knocking over the pylon or pole
Minimum requirement: 42 repetitions
Bending hang
Starting position:
Test person grips the pull-up bar shoulder-width apart (comb grip)
Reach the starting position with the help of a box (chin tip above the pull-up bar)
Execution:
Start timing when the bent-over hang position is reached
Sources of error:
Unsteady posture
Chin tip below the pull-up bar
Chin must not be placed on the bar
Instep grip
Grip position wider or narrower than shoulder width
(Beck & Bös, 1995)
Minimum requirement: 45 seconds
Lateral medicine ball throw
Starting position:
Grasp medicine ball (4 kilograms) with both hands
Rotate the upper body in the opposite direction of the throw - arms remain extended, legs are bent
Execution:
Throw the medicine ball as far as possible from the lunge with bent legs
Two attempts per side
Sources of error:
Stepping over the throwing line
One-handed throw
Torso rotation without leg flexion
Disruption of the kinematic chain
(Reiman & Manske, 2009)
Minimum requirement: 7.5 meters
CKCU test
Starting position:
Push-up position in front with arms outstretched
Hands shoulder-width apart on the floor within the markings (90 centimeters)
Legs closed, body tensed
Execution:
Reach your hands over each other as quickly as possible in 15 seconds (fingertips touch the floor behind the side markers)
Two attempts
Sources of error:
Touching the marking lines with the overlapping hand
Lack of body extension
Wide leg stance/ putting the legs down
(Reiman & Manske, 2009)
Minimum requirement: 23 repetitions
Box boomerang test
Starting position:
Assume the starting position in front of the mat
Execution:
Start after the start signal with a forward roll over the mat
Run around the medicine ball at right angles to the box section 1, jump over the box section and crawl towards the medicine ball. Then run around the medicine ball at right angles, jump over and crawl through the box sections (2 + 3)
After box section 3, run around the medicine ball at right angles and run through the finish line
Two attempts
Sources of error:
Deviating from the specified running route
Minimum requirement: ≤ 19 seconds
Rescue of persons
Starting position:
Dummy lies with its head in front of the start line in the direction of pull
Assume the starting position between the starting line and dummy with your back to the running track
Execution:
Grab the dummy (by the shoulder straps) after the start signal
Dragging the dummy backwards (lifting the upper body off the ground) around the turning marker (cone) back to the starting point
Three laps
Time stops after the subject crosses the finish line
A medical aptitude test is carried out prior to recruitment as a fire department officer. Part of this examination is the so-called PWC -170 test. This is a bicycle ergometer test to determine endurance capacity. The load is gradually increased. The wattage is increased until you have reached a heart rate of 170 beats per minute. Many participants have not trained for this and their heart rate is too high if the wattage is too low. We have therefore provided a training recommendation in the following document.
