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Margaret Maxwell was in the U.S. Army for six years. She’s short, but one look at her arms tells you she works out plenty — she spent six weeks exhausting her brother, who’s a city firefighter, training with him.
But she apparently doesn’t have what it takes to be a Pittsburgh firefighter herself. She failed a physical exam necessary to receive firefighter training.
“You should be judged on your strength, on your cardio, not your technique,” she says. “Everybody on the same playing field.”
The physical test is a barrier for too many women, critics say — and it’s one reason no women have been hired in the fire bureau since 1997.
Deputy fire chief Colleen Walz, the highest-ranking woman in the bureau, says the city’s physical test is arbitrary, skewed toward men and a poor determinant of someone’s fitness to be trained as a firefighter.
“The exam,” she says, “has not been validated.”
Every three years, the city compiles a new list of candidates eligible for the fire bureau’s academy. Any city resident over the age of 18 can begin the process by taking a written civil-service exam. Those who score highly enough move on to a physical exam. If they pass that, their combined scores are ranked on a list: When there are openings in the fire bureau, the highest-ranked candidates enter the academy.
The physical test consists of five events: a flexibility test; stair-climbing; a “hose hoist”; a “dummy drag,” in which candidates carry a simulated victim; and a forced-entry simulation. It’s the last of these that attracts most of Walz’s ire: In it, the candidate must swing a sledgehammer between their feet to move a weight along a metal track, called a Kaiser sled.
The test is “completely technique,” Walz says — it’s a task most any firefighter can learn from training, even if they are smaller, as women are likely to be, and don’t have the kind of brute force that allows untrained, larger candidates to complete the task. And it’s not even a good technique: Walz says that if she saw someone using that technique during an actual fire, she would be “screaming bloody murder from the street.”
Similarly, Walz also objects to having test-takers wear a self-contained breathing apparatus, or SCBA, the use of which also requires separate training. A weighted vest, she says, tests if an applicant is strong enough to fight fires wearing heavy equipment. “Then, we’ll teach you to use an SCBA” as part of the regular academy training.
The SCBA was a problem during Maxwell’s test. Despite the smallest available tank being maximally tightened, the tank “was sliding up and down my back the whole time. On the Kaiser it was banging into my head.”
Maxwell isn’t the only woman to have struggled with such problems.
The city’s most recent call for candidates, for example, drew 1,695 applications. Of those, 1,187 took the written test, and 1,092 passed, advancing to the physical exam. While the list wasn’t completely final at press time — residency of applicants was still being verified — the unofficial tally had 11 women and 643 men passing that second test and being put on the eligibility list.
Statistics on how many women took the physical exams aren’t yet available from the city for this round of testing, but in 2002, 25 women took the physical exam — and they all failed. In 2005, 20 took it and two passed. And this year, the gender imbalance is likely to be even more lopsided when a new class of trainees is inducted. Among the 88 people with the maximum combined score, only one is a woman.
“One test is not going to diversify the fire bureau,” says Chief Darryl E. Jones, who was hired as chief in 2007. “It’s a continuous effort.”
“Did it go well? Yes,” says Tamiko Stanley, the city’s equal opportunity employment officer — the first person to fill that position, created in 2007. “We had the highest number of female applicants since the past three lists.”
Indeed, the list compiled in 2005 had only two women on it, neither of whom scored highly enough in the rankings to get hired. The list from 2002 had no women.
Still, Stanley acknowledges there is room for improvement.
“We would have liked to see the individuals who got to the end of the tunnel a little larger [portion] of the pool.”
One way to do that, Walz contends, is to abandon the current test in favor of the Candidate Physical Ability Test, or CPAT.
The CPAT was developed in the mid-’90s, when representatives of 10 different fire departments hammered out what an ideal test would look like. More than 3,500 jurisdictions nationwide are licensed to administer the CPAT.
“It’s the most widely used, most widely accepted test in the U.S.,” says Mark Angle, the assistant chief of the Phoenix bureau. “Every motion and every aspect of the CPAT is directly related to firefighting. Every move mimics a firefighting aspect. The proof’s in the pudding. You don’t see people lining up to complain.”
Instead of the SCBA, candidates use a weighted vest. The CPAT includes eight events: a stair climb, ladder raise and extension, hose drag, equipment carry, a forcible entry event that involves penetrating a locked door and scaling a wall, searching through the dark for a victim, a rescue drag and a ceiling pull to check for more fire. There’s no Kaiser sled, and the test mandates that candidates receive training, a mentor and at least two timed run-throughs. Pittsburgh’s test didn’t even allow any practice, until this most recent round of testing.
“The CPAT is not an easy exam, but it’s transparent,” says Walz, who came on as a firefighter before the CPAT was developed.
Neither Jones nor Stanley could say how the current test, which was implemented in 1997 and has not yet yielded a single new woman into the bureau, came to be.
When asked why Pittsburgh doesn’t use the CPAT, Chief Jones says it’s not his decision what test is used. Walz says use of the test is specified in the firefighters’ union contract. Union officials did not respond to requests for comment.
“I would personally prefer to have a weighted vest,” Jones adds. “The idea of the test is to test your endurance more than anything else. If you had a vest weighing whatever the airpack weighs, that would probably be more universal and still provide the same purpose.”
The city has made some accommodations already. For the first time, this year’s applicants were allowed a pre-test run-through using the equipment. Previously, they could only view a video.
“Our research has shown that females who had the pre-test training tend to do better on the final test,” Jones says.
But such preparation only helps so much. “These events, you cannot practice,” says Maxwell. “Who has a dummy to drag around?”
Stanley says that adopting the CPAT is “a lot of the discussion that we’re having.”
“They have the power to change it,” says Walz. “They choose not to. I’m in my 22nd year. … I just don’t want to see that there’s a fire department with no women.”
This article appears in Jun 4-10, 2009.
One Major correction to this story, the use of the current exam is not specified in the Union Contract, and never has been, the type of test Used is determined by the City of Pittsburgh Civil Service. Use of the CPAT exam is supported by the International Association of Firefighters,(IAFF) and the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC).
Respectfully submitted,
Colleen J. Walz
I just have to say that I myself was one of the females who just took the physical test and unfortunatly did not make it past the sledgehammer event! I believe that you must have strength to pass this test strenght and endurance..The sledge hammer event was so discouraging! I worked out for a YEAR to pass this test and I only missed the event by a few second to make the cut off which would have let me continue on to the stairclimbing event which I had that in the bag! My heart was broken and honestly there was NOTHING more I could have done to prepare myself for that event! Technique strenghth…I have gotten so much negativity because I complained about that event mostly from male firefighters wifes but I don’t see any of them getting up there and attempting to take the test! It is not a MANS job …I feel like their is alot a women can do as firefighters just because we may not necessarly be able to carry a 300 lb man over our shoulder and out the door does not mean that we are not competent and it doesnt mean I wouldnt TRY my hardest and I bet their are some men out there that culdnt do it!!! I am so happy this article was posted…I personally spoke with cheif Jones and he had made a few suggestions to me as what to do because I wasnt happy but is it worth it? How would we be treated if we were to get on????? It crushed me and I am still bitter I hope the test does change to enable females to be able to pass…Their are plenty of female police officers and thats because they make the test so you can pass! Thank you Margart Maxwell for posting this story my name is Amber my email is mauri1976@comcast.net please email and we can talk about this more!
The Kaiser machine is a test of an individuals strength. Strength that is needed to remove ones self from a dangerous situation, sut as breeching a wall to get out of a building or other dangerous environment, or the strength that is needed to remove a fallen firefighter from harms way. These miniscual tasks that you were asked to complete to get on the job are only tiny portion of what is required to perform as a firefighter. Yes their are men who cant do the tasks also. That is why they are not firefighters. Sometimes trying hard is just not good enough, and unfortunately that is a fact we all realize some time or another. You ask the question how would we be treated if you were to get on. With the same respect as every other firefighter who went thru the civil service process, placed on the eligibility list, hired in the “order you were qualified” and completed all the requirements of the training academy. You would recieve more respect because you would be the first female in many years to do so.
I Would like to say women can pass and score a 100% on this test I know 2 who did, also the c pat test is harder than the current test,women can be firefighters good ones . There are none on the pbf now, they were all hired the wrong way thats why they are not respected in pgh. most firefighters have no problem working with women if they can do the job. watch the firefighter challenge on espn they are out there,just not here,YET. Most women in Pgh want a recliner not turnout gear ,an axe and a firehose (alot of men we hire are the same)thats the system change it to the other test with no standards every one on the same page. and see what happens, we will still have the same results untill the right inshape women /men take the test for right reason to be firefighters.
NO MATTER WHAT TEST THEY END UP WITH I JUST HOPE THE BEST PERSON IS PROTECTING US
I AM A FEMALE WHO TOOK THE TEST
I DID OK BUT I DIDNT PASS
I AM NOT BITTER AND I DID NOT COMPLAIN
IT IS NO ONES FAULT BUT MY OWN THAT I DIDNT PASS
I COULDNT DO IT AND THATS IT
AS LONG AS THE BEST PERSON ARE HIRED THAT IS WHATS MOST IMPORTANT
I DONT WANT PEOPLE BEING FIREFIGHTERS WHO ARE NOT CAPABLE
I DONT WANT THEM TO START HIRING PEOPLE JUST BECAUSE THEY ARE WOMEN OR MINORITIES
THAT HAPPENED WITH THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH POLICE DEPARTMENT A LONG TIME AGO
THE CITY WAS REQUIRED TO HIRE ONE BLACK MAN AND WOMEN AND ONE WHITE MAN AND WOMEN
A COUSIN OF MINE TOOK THAT TEST AND SCORED A 100 PERCENT AND WAS NOT HIRED AND THERE WERE WHITE WOMAN AND BLACK MEN AND WOMEN THTA SCORED IN THE 70 PERCENTS AND WERE
IS THIS FAIR?
I DONT THINK SO
DID THEY GET THE BEST PEOPLE?
NO WAY
AND AS I UNDERSTAND IT FROM TALKING TO PEOPLE… ALL THE WOMEN THAT CAME ON WITH DEPUTY CHIEF COLLEEN WALZ WERE HIRED BECAUSE THEY SKIPPED OVER MEN TO GET TO WOMEN
IF THIS IS TRUE I FEEL THAT THAT IS UNFAIR AND THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH DID NOT GET THE BEST CANDIDATES FOR THE JOB
I ALSO HEARD THAT THE ONE WOMEN WHO WAS HIRED IN 1997 WAS HIRED STRAIGHT FROM THE CIVIL SERVICE LIST
THAT NO MEN WERE PASSED OVER OR SKIPPED LIKE THEY WERE PREVIOUSLY WHEN DEPUTY CHIEF WALZ AND THE OTHER WOMEN WERE HIRED
SO IF THE WOMEN COULD DO IT IN 97 THEN OTHER WOMEN CAN TOO
PLEASE CORRECT ME OR RESPOND IF ANY OF THIS INFORMATION IS INCORRECT
I AM JUST SAYING WHAT I HEARD FROM NUMEROUS PEOPLE
RESPECTFULLY
TA
SDA and others,
What is usual of most rumors is that there is something in there that may have resembled a truth, surrounded by mostly falsehoods.
The issues brought forth by myself, Deputy Chief Colleen Walz, about this current exam are not new. I have been vocal in identifying where I have thought this exam was weak, for several years. I have gotten grief and knew I would and expected ugliness to rise again, but this negativity does not change the obvious shortcomings of the current test used.
To Clarify, again, much to the dismay or admittance of a select group, My hiring would have happened regardless of the hiring of any minorities, as that is where my name and my score fell by merit, legally, on the eligibility list in the year and date of hiring. Selective ignorance of the truth prevails, there is a reason for that, and those that know the truth are selectively silent.
(Ignorance of the truth simply suits the agenda and argument of those who attempt to impugn credibility) Why? You decide, credibility lies in the truth, and the strength to identify yourself and say it openly speaks for itself. I suggest you do research on the subject and get back to me.
Respecting all women current and past, (one who gave her life along side two fellow firefighters) past hiring is irrelevant to the current issue , or is it?
You had an exam 25 years ago, that was brought about because the exam prior, was fought by 2 Male candidates. The exam they fought and won legal remedy for, was an exam that timed events required access to specific Firefighting equipment, to do well on. The candidates suggested that firefighter families, sons, brothers, uncles, clearly had an advantage to the equipment while others with no family or friends on the job did not have that access. Does that sound familiar?
24 Years ago, existed an exam that women could get on the eligibility list, they had to wait on the list like many others, but the possibility existed that if they were to need a large amount of firefighters, Veteran Preference could be less of a factor , they would be hired and others could be also, that is how I was hired. That is how others have been hired, specifically in the last 4 years due to the mass hire. Did the city realize we would be doing extensive hiring off of that list? Yes, was the issue of the invalid exam brought up then? Yes. were the shortcomings of this exam known 3-4 years ago? Yes they were.
For the last 12 years the city has been using an exam that not one woman prior has passed for 12 years, and requires specific training and knowledge of the equipment and requires use of a specific piece of firefighting eqipment. There is no further comment necessary on that subject.
The women who are here currently, doing this job, have been doing this job against great challenges they have endured to accomplish their success. This fact needs to be shouted to the roof tops, as this feat speaks volumes of the strength and character of the women who are here and have been here for over 20 years.
Pgh firefighter,
I am thrilled that two women have passed this current exam, with as you say, 100%. Unfortunately, this still does not make this exam fair, and since you have stated this and have knowledge of this fact, I am sure you are aware, as am I, of how success can be achieved by some women, had this access, knowledge and training been appropriated more efficiently. The argument to have a transparent, fair exam would be a moot. point.
I have stated that the CPAT exam is not an easy exam, nor should the exam be easy. The CPAT is transparent and offered properly, it requires mentoring and training. The current exam does not fall into that category. As to your other comments, I may suggest you look past the “stereotyping” as to what a minority of potential loud bigots convey, if you are aware of the two women who passed, please don’t think for one second, if they are hired, they are immune, somehow to criticism, from those same bigots,. These are women we are talking about, and because of this there will continue to be microscopic scrutiny of their abilities by some, regardless of where they fell on the eligibility list. If there were not only a handful of women then they would not be in the fishbowl that they find themselves in. This fact should not deter them. The love of the service is what allows most women to continue to persevere. I am included in that group.
I weigh those bigoted comments against the very real, confident male firefighters who have worked successfully along side women both past and present, fighting fire. The truth is silent but confident and not echoed as loudly when it is not popular among the loud minority. Some of whom have never worked with women in their adult lives. It is hard sometimes to separate the acceptance of and the bigotry conveyed, especially in the microcosm of an Engine house that continues to be solely male, and the macho locker room mentality continues through out the day. Although not nearly as negative as it once was, still prevalent at times, is that if one firefighter conveys one negative experience with one female firefighter, (could have been 20 years ago) all women have been branded with the same iron. Please analyze that. That is part of the problem that allows the garbage talk to continue. Sometimes ego, bravado and rumor is louder than the truth.
One woman hired in 1997, did get hired from the list, but she did not get hired using the current exam which has denied women for the last 12 years. To her credit, she did, have Veterans Preference points, pushing her up the eligibility list. Veterans Preference (VP) Points are awarded and that is the system under the State of PA. I have absolutely no issue with (VP) points, however, as Vegas1 suggests, they want the best candidate. Does adding points allow for the best candidates? With reverant respect for Veterans, sometimes the best get hired, but not always. One need only read the news from time to time to figure that out. The score on a test does not always measure the best qualities of a firefighter, but that is the system, and we use it.
It would be interesting for you to know that all women hired in 1987, many years ago, had actually beaten many men who were hired before them on the same physical test, a few years before them, from the same list however, the men who had (VP) points were put at the top of the list and were hired first. Again, that is the system, but it was said that you want the best candidates right? So where is the measuring stick for what constitutes the best candidate?
I have fought fires with many great firefighters, many of them male Vets, some female vets, men and women who were not vets. There are many great firefighters here in the city and they come in all shapes, sizes, colors and sexes. They work all over this city in every Engine company. Some of those skilled firefighters are also loud mouthed bigots, but that does not take away from recognizing their ability to perform specific task needed and using them when necessary. Still, some of the loudest,most sexist males on the job use their mouth to cover up their own inadequacies and laziness, and I would not classify them as quality firefighters. Yet, their bigoted voice has impacted those who have no direct experience or knowledge, in working with women. We continue to employ those loud mouthed lazy bigots, regardless of who carries their weight. I am sure you are aware of those people too. That is the point.
I will also add, and it cannot be denied, that one must be physically strong and fit to accomplish the tasks required of firefighting, all things being equal (after proper testing, that truly constitutes what we do), does this test, in and of itself qualify an individual to be a good firefighter with all of the job duties expected of Career Firefighters today and in our city? It certainly helps, and identifies a necessary requirement, and I argue a measuring stick is needed, but is that the sole criteria there should be to measure, considering all that is required from a city firefighter today?
I am just posing the question, many of you, who are city firefighters, already know some of those answers.
Attacking me, or other women currently on the job at this stage of the game is meaningless, Against great odds and most over 20 years of service, many of those women are still here, and again, speaks volumes about the strength of character and caliber of the women who endured.
Are you suggesting the one female who was hired in 1997 has not experienced the same or similar hostilities or microscopic treatment? I would beg to differ, she has, all women have in one form or another, but all things are equal right? Unfortunately they are not always equal regardless of how you are hired, but again, as a woman in a predominantly male career, you find a way to persevere to continue to provide a public service and attempt to continue in a career that you love, regardless of that scrutiny.
The fact remains that the test is supposed to give all candidates a fair shot.
This does not happen when accessibility to the tools and specific equipment used for the exam is not accessbible to some and available to others. It stands to reason that if you have access, and can practice using the very same equipment for a proper exam, one would expect that you would perform better had you not had that access. To suggest that this does not benefit a candidate would be a foolish statement. To suggest that this does not benefit more men who are aware of this and have access, than women, would be disingenuous. I will also add that many men, in addition to women failed the exam for the same reasons, lack of access to the equipment and knowledge of specific technique.
The kaiser sled is not supposed to simulate breaching a wall or door, and as you have eloquently conveyed, is part of the problem of this event, and an old argument. It is not the intent of the Kaiser sled and this is not hard to figure out if you know how to properly do forcible entry, or open a roof. The SCBA is not intended nor engineered to be worn with out a bunker coat is it? This type of exam has been abandoned in many, many cities and states. Litigation, by both male and female candidates successfully accomplished that for some of the same reasons and confusion. More importantly, which exam is endorsed by the IAFF and the IAFC?
I respect all opinions, and have listened to them for years. The issues surrounding this exam did not occur overnight and have been stated openly for several years. I believe there is merit to some of the arguments made, and discount others for obvious reasons.
Respectfully,
Colleen Walz