For the first time, San Diegans applying to become a firefighter can complete the tests without leaving the county.
Potential firefighters can now take the CPAT (candidacy physical ability test) at Miramar College; they used to have to travel to other cities, such as San Francisco, at their own expense to complete the tests.
An estimated 600 candidates are planning to test at Miramar, and on Tuesday, many came out for the CPATs.
Candidates had to push and pull, wearing a 50-pound vest, to simulate ventilating a building. They also had to drag a dummy and carry tools they would use to enter a building to put out a fire.
They had to perform these tests within 10 minutes and 20 seconds.
Candidate Juan Trevino who passed the test Tuesday said the rigorous ritual is worth it in the long run.
“It’s a process, definitely,” he said. “Different departments have different requirements.”
