The details below come from the City of Calgary’s firefighter recruitment page, checked 21 October 2026, and from the CPAT 2nd Edition manual and the IAFF’s 2026 addendums, which Calgary points candidates to.
Where the CPAT sits in Calgary’s process
You take the CPAT if you reach Step 7 of Calgary’s pre screening process. Testing with the Calgary Fire Department costs $200 plus GST, and you can attend two orientations and two timed practice sessions before your test.
Failing to complete the CPAT removes you from the process. Failing to meet its standards means you need a valid CPAT certification to reapply. Calgary also runs a treadmill test at the medical stage: at least 12 minutes 30 seconds wearing a mask that measures oxygen use, and failing it rescinds the offer.
Questions go to the City’s Wellness Centre at CPAT.info@calgary.ca.
City of Calgary, Firefighter recruitment, checked 21 October 2026
The rules that apply to every event
- You have 10 minutes 20 seconds for all eight events. The clock counts down from the end of the stair climb warm up, and the test ends at zero.
- The test site supplies a 50 lb vest, worn throughout. The stair climb adds 25 lb on the shoulders, 75 lb in all.
- You walk the roughly 85 ft between events, about 20 seconds. Running between events draws one warning; a second ends the test.
- Wear a shirt with sleeves, long pants (compression pants are fine) and shoes with a closed heel and toe, with your hair secured. Leave your watch and any loose jewellery in your bag. The site supplies the helmet, gloves and vest.
- Bring valid ID, with every test form completed and signed. Missing any one is a fail.
The eight events
The events run in this order, one after another.
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Stair climb
A 20 second warm up at 50 steps a minute, then 3 minutes at 60 steps a minute on a stair stepper, with 25 lb added on the shoulders. Brief touches of the rail for balance are allowed.
Ends the test: Falling or stepping off once the test has started, or a third holding infraction.
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Hose drag
Drag 200 ft of uncharged 1 3/4 in. hose 75 ft to a drum, turn, go 25 ft more, then pull the hose in on at least one knee inside a box. Running is allowed in this event.
Ends the test: Missing the drum, leaving the path, or a second knee infraction.
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Equipment carry
Take two saws, about 32 lb and 28 lb, from a cabinet one at a time, carry them 75 ft around a drum and back, and put them away.
Ends the test: Dropping a saw, or a second running infraction.
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Ladder raise and extension
Raise a 24 ft extension ladder hand over hand, rung by rung, then extend and lower the fly section of a second ladder with your feet inside a box.
Ends the test: A second missed rung, letting the ladder fall or the lanyard catch it, or losing control of the halyard.
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Forcible entry
Strike a target about 39 in. high with a 10 lb sledgehammer until a buzzer sounds, feet outside a toe box.
Ends the test: A second step into the toe box, or losing control of the hammer.
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Search
Crawl a dark tunnel maze about 3 ft high and 64 ft long, with two turns, obstacles and two narrow sections.
Ends the test: Asking to be let out. Backing out of the entrance and going in again is allowed.
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Rescue
Drag a 165 lb mannequin 35 ft to a drum, around it and 35 ft to the finish, by the harness handles or with a lift under the armpits.
Ends the test: A second grab of, or rest on, the drum.
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Ceiling breach and pull
With a pike pole, push a 60 lb ceiling door up 3 times and pull an 80 lb device down 5 times, for 4 sets. The clock stops on the final pull.
Ends the test: A second step outside the frame, or a second dropped pike pole.
IAFF and IAFC, CPAT 2nd Edition manual. Calgary recommends its orientation and preparation guides, Appendix A and Appendix B.
Orientations and practice runs
The IAFF sets the timing: orientations within eight weeks of your test, and practice runs within 30 days of it. A pass during a practice run can count as a pass. Use Calgary’s two orientations and two timed practice sessions to learn each event and its faults, and be fit for them as well as for the test.
Other departments that accept the CPAT
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Airdrie Fire Department
Airdrie accepts the U of A test, the Red Deer Polytechnic test or the CPAT, and adds a treadmill test at the medical stage. Results count for 12 months.
City of Airdrie, Firefighter Recruitment, checked 4 October 2026
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Rocky View County Fire Services (part-time)
The part-time process asks for a CPAT, with testing made available through the City of Calgary, plus a beep test. The CPAT must be current within one year.
Rocky View County, Part-Time Firefighters, checked 4 October 2026
How to prepare
The stair climb comes first: three minutes at a fixed pace under 75 lb. After it you need grip and pulling strength for the drags and ladders, and enough conditioning to keep working for over ten minutes with only a walk to recover. Train the stair climb with weight on your shoulders, learn each event’s faults at the orientations, and practise the walk between events so it stays a walk.