Applying for ADF, need some info for Fire-Fighter specialist testing !

[Dryotriorchis]

[font=&quot]Hi all, I’m not actually in any defence force but I’m currently applying for the army in Australia for which I’m applying for a position as a Fire Fighter. I’ve just recently completed the first part of my Job Option Evaluation Session in Wollongong for which I had to do the standard aptitude test and also some technical tests, of which I’m assuming I have passed because the DFR people rang me and sent me a letter telling me that I have progressed to the next part of testing which is Specialist Testing in Parramatta. I asked the DFR lady at the office if she knew what the testing involved but she didn’t know, I was wondering if there was anyone here who might be able to enlighten me to what I may expect at this next part of testing so that I can prepare for it. Any information will be greatly welcomed, thank you.
[/font]

 

[Aussie Digger]

Re: Applying for ADF, need some info fore Fire-Fighter specialist testing !

Sorry mate, I'd like to help but I'm a police officer now, not a fire fighter. Do you know which Corps you'll be serving in should you be successful? I was unaware that the Army had specific firefighters, though I guess you'd probably be in the Combat Engineers or RAEME.

 

[Dryotriorchis]

Re: Applying for ADF, need some info fore Fire-Fighter specialist testing !

Sorry mate, I'd like to help but I'm a police officer now, not a fire fighter. Do you know which Corps you'll be serving in should you be successful? I was unaware that the Army had specific firefighters, though I guess you'd probably be in the Combat Engineers or RAEME.

[font=&quot]Oh well thanks for posting anyway Aussie Digger. I believe Fire Fighters are a apart of the Combat Engineers, on the internet they are called Fire Fighters/Emergency Responders. I know they have base postings at Holsworthy and up in Oakley and Townsville and I think there may be another base in QLD where they are posted to (according to the defence careers explorer http://www.defencejobs.gov.au/careers_explorer/ArmyMain.html )[/font]

 

[Aussie Digger]

Re: Applying for ADF, need some info fore Fire-Fighter specialist testing !

Okay, the firefighters are probably attached to Aviation units then. I'm thinking the "specialist" testing will involve mechanical aptitude type testing, maybe some testing to see if you're able to operate in confined spaces, at height, in darkened, smoky conditions etc.

 

[Dryotriorchis]

Re: Applying for ADF, need some info fore Fire-Fighter specialist testing !

[font=&quot]Okay well I’ve already done one type of technical test in Wollongong, that involved 3 tests a mechanical, mathematical and a science. The mechanical test contained questions like “If cog C moved in direction of arrow and pulled cog B, in which directions would Cog A move?â€. The Math test contained, well math stuff and the science test had questions like “What do you measure Amps with?â€. Well either way I’ll find out what the test involves on the test day next Thursday, so I’ll let you know how it goes afterwards anyway. The DFR lady in Wollongong said the test was fire Fighter specific test I think, so I hoping it will be something like what my Basic Fire Fighter test was like with the RFS, so I’m thinking it might be questions like “Name the three components needed for a fire? (Heat, Oxygen and fuel) along with some sort of small practical maybe like a claustrophobia test or something? [/font]

 

[gf0012-aust]

Re: Applying for ADF, need some info fore Fire-Fighter specialist testing !

[font=&quot]Okay well I’ve already done one type of technical test in Wollongong, that involved 3 tests a mechanical, mathematical and a science. [/font]

Have you done your physical yet? If not then do some loaded stamina work.. Its where a lot of newbies fall over.

I was involved with DFR in the late 90's when we were looking at the outsourced model. So my recollections are now somewhat vague.

 

[Dryotriorchis]

Re: Applying for ADF, need some info fore Fire-Fighter specialist testing !

[font=&quot]Hey gf0012-aust, no I haven’t done my physical yet, I’m assuming I’ll be doing that some time soon assuming I pass that specialist test. And thanks for the tip about the stamina work, I must admit I’m not a very strong person, and I know that I have to really bulk my self up. Which I have been trying to do. I read on the internet that for the physical you have to be able to do 15 complete push ups, so I didn’t even bother applying till I could do that, and trust me 2 months ago I couldn’t do more then 2, today as part of my morning workout schedule I did 24, I know that’s nearly nothing, but for me that’s quite the achievement, each day I’m able to do a little more. As well as that the day before I did 9kms in 30mins on a stepper machine without stoping, again not much, but 2 months ago I couldn’t have done 1 km without having to stop and spend 2 mins catching my breath. So in all I think I think, personally, I have achieved a lot while getting ready to join. [/font]

 

[gf0012-aust]

Re: Applying for ADF, need some info fore Fire-Fighter specialist testing !

[font=&quot]Hey gf0012-aust, no I haven’t done my physical yet, I’m assuming I’ll be doing that some time soon assuming I pass that specialist test. And thanks for the tip about the stamina work, I must admit I’m not a very strong person, and I know that I have to really bulk my self up. Which I have been trying to do...... [/font]

matey I wouldn't worry about bulking up - its the stamina thats the key. Last time I dealt with DFR the physical included timed "racetracks" - the push-ups were in the order of 50 or so as well (all timed)

See if you can check your body mass index as well. you should be able to get that done at a local fitness club (just pretend you're joining.. )

 

[Dryotriorchis]

Re: Applying for ADF, need some info fore Fire-Fighter specialist testing !

Ah okay gottch ya, thanks. I just calculated by BMI on the net, and according to that I’m 19.1 which it tells me is normal. I just had another look at the DFR physical requirements and it says:






Army

The PFA for the Army consists of a shuttle run, push-ups and sit-ups.

The aim of the PFA is to determine if a potential recruit is at a sufficient level of fitness to safely commence training. This assessment must be passed. The required standards for the PFA are listed below:

Male Requirement: Push-Up: 15, Sit-Up: 45, Shuttle Run: 7.5.
Female Requirement: Push-Up: 8, Sit-Up: 45, Shuttle Run: 7.5.






[font=&quot]So yeah, if it is 50 push-ups for the PFA I am thinking that I am going to have to double me efforts, though today what I did was 10 push ups, 20 sec rest then 8 push ups 30sec rest 6 push ups 2 min rest and do the whole thing again, I was going to do that through 2 times, but after that first 2 min rest I went down easy enough but I just couldn’t force myself to come back up no matter how hard I tried [/font]

 

[gf0012-aust]

Re: Applying for ADF, need some info fore Fire-Fighter specialist testing !

The PFA for the Army consists of a shuttle run, push-ups and sit-ups.

believe me, the shuttle run can be the killer.... can't recall exactly (as its a while ago now) but most of the kids I saw who bombed out did it on the shuttle run. - I'd be practicing that

A few bombed on the prelim psyche test.

 

[Dryotriorchis]

Re: Applying for ADF, need some info fore Fire-Fighter specialist testing !

So for the shuttle run, without actually having a beeping rhythm to practice to, what’s the best way to prepare for it?

[font=&quot]
[/font]

 

[gf0012-aust]

Re: Applying for ADF, need some info fore Fire-Fighter specialist testing !

So for the shuttle run, without actually having a beeping rhythm to practice to, what’s the best way to prepare for it?

[font=&quot]
[/font]

find a mate and bribe him with some tinnies to run a stop watch...

 

[Dryotriorchis]

Re: Applying for ADF, need some info fore Fire-Fighter specialist testing !

Okay, so how long should it take me to run the 20m for 7.5?

 

[gf0012-aust]

Re: Applying for ADF, need some info fore Fire-Fighter specialist testing !

Okay, so how long should it take me to run the 20m for 7.5?

shouldn't it be 7.5??

 

[Aussie Digger]

Re: Applying for ADF, need some info fore Fire-Fighter specialist testing !

The shuttle/beep test is nothing more than a test of cardiovascular fitness. It's pointless doing any specific training ie: sprint training for it, the goal is to assess your level of physical fitness and make sure you meet the required level of fitness for entry into the ADF, not assess how good you are at the shuttle run.

Just do normal cardiovascular training such as running or cycling and you'll be fine. You can also test yourself with a 2.4klm run on flat ground. If you can do that in around 11 minutes or less you'll be fine for the shuttle run...

 

[Dryotriorchis]

Re: Applying for ADF, need some info fore Fire-Fighter specialist testing !

[font=&quot]Okay great thanks, well last I timed I did 3.4kms in 10mins so hopfully I’ll be okay – just gotta keep the training up. Okay thanks a lot Aussie Digger and gf0012 –Aust, wish me luck for my tests. [/font]

 

[Aussie Digger]

Re: Applying for ADF, need some info fore Fire-Fighter specialist testing !

Best of luck mate. If you can run 3.4klm's in 10 minutes already, then you won't have any trouble wit the fitness requirements, even when you're at Kapooka...

 

[gbilios]

Australian army reserve entry requirements

i am very interested in joining the australian army reserve. could someone please provide help tips or advice.

 

[Aussie Digger]

Re: australian army reserve entry requirements

Heading on over to www.defencejobs.gov.au would be a good start. It provides basic information about most trades and Corps in the the ADF. Have you decided what sort of thing you want to do in the reserves?

 

[gbilios]

Re: australian army reserve entry requirements

thanks