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May 13, 2008
Athlete Spotlight: Theresa T. a.k.a. "T"
A little over a year ago, Theresa T was humbled by the physical agility test that all potential Oakland Fire Department candidates go through as a part of the hiring process. Theresa has been putting in admirable effort the entire year and a few weeks ago did the agility test again with a time of 14:10! She is now in the running as a potential OFD recruit.
The physical agility test Theresa (and many others at CFO) took goes like this:
PHYSICAL AGILITY TEST
Source: Oakland Fire Services Agency, Training Division
All candidates must complete the physical agility course in less than 17 minutes and 55 seconds, wearing a five-pound turnout coat and a 40-pound air tank mounted on their back.
LADDER CARRY
* Remove 16-foot ladder from the brackets mounted on the wall prop
* Carry the ladder around the cone placed 20 feet from the wall
* Replace the ladder on the brackets
* Walk back around the central cone to the Hose Drag
HOSE DRAG
* Wrap one end of the hose over shoulder and across chest
* Drag the hose to the other side of the event, 200 feet away
* Cross the first white line, drop end of hose and drag the remainder across the line using a "hand over hand" or a "pick up and pull" technique
* Do not cross the second white line, it is 10 feet beyond the first
* After the entire hose is behind the first white line, walk back around the central cone, around the cone near the Ladder Carry, and then proceed to the Hose Pack Carry.
HOSE PACK CARRY
* Pick up the bundle of hose (weighs approximately 40 pounds) and carry it to the fourth floor of the tower using each step. (The Oakland Fire Department drill tower is five stories high, with an outside stairwell, a fire escape, a basement and standpipes - pipes installed in the building for firefighting purposes.)
HOSE HOIST
* At the window, grab the rope and pull up the hose bundle
* Raise the hose with a hand over hand motion on the rope, until it reaches the windowsill
* Place hose bundle on the windowsill
* Step back, then lower the hose to the ground with a hand over hand motion on the rope
ATTIC CRAWL
Walk or crawl through the simulated attic without touching the ground
Walk to the Dummy Drag
DUMMY DRAG
* Drag the (150-pound) dummy through the 20-foot tunnel
* At the end of the tunnel turn the dummy around so that it faces the opposite direction
* Walk around the two cones for a cool-down period
* Walk to the Four-Foot Wall
FOUR-FOOT WALL
* Scale the four-foot wal
* Walk to the Hose Roll
HOSE ROLL
* Roll one 50-foot length hose in one direction
* Roll second length of hose in the opposite direction
* Walk to the Tailgate Hose Load
TAILGATE HOSE LOAD
* Load the six rolls of hose onto the tailboard, one at a time
* Walk behind the starting line, empty handed
* Return to tailgate and stack each roll in the starting box, one at a time
FINISH
* Take final cool-down walk
* Walk around remaining cones on course and then to finish line
Theresa's gains have been enormous, her efforts consistent and her attitude amazing--we love having her around and keep our thoughts with her as she goes through the hiring process!
Give it up to Theresa in comments.
Posted by Nicole Okumu at May 13, 2008 10:34 PM
Comments
In my humble opinion there are few candidates out there who have dedicated themselves to public service as selflessly as T. There are very few things that I pray for. One of them is that I am in Oakland's training tower as T's classmate.
Posted by: Lau at May 13, 2008 11:41 PM
Theresa,
Very impressive. It took me 18 minutes just to read about all the obstacles. Keep up the good work!
Posted by: daniel at May 14, 2008 7:21 AM
Theresa...You are an inspiration! Thanks for being one of the 'rocks' I look forward to seeing every time I've gone the past year! Looking forward to another good year!
Posted by: Amy at May 14, 2008 9:17 AM
of course it did Daniel, you got stuck at the FOUR FOOT WALL huh?
Posted by: steven at May 14, 2008 10:41 AM
Theresa:
Congrats! That's awesome!
Posted by: angela at May 14, 2008 11:10 AM
Theresa - It's great to have such a strong woman represent for us all!! Keep up the good work you beast :) I hope to hear about your training at the tower in the next few months...
Posted by: Audra at May 14, 2008 11:27 AM
Molto bene, Theresa! Way to go on the agility test. You are a highlight of the 7PM class.
Posted by: TomC at May 14, 2008 11:55 AM
congratulations, Theresa! You've definitely worked hard to get there, you are another one of the badass women of CFO.
Posted by: sierra at May 14, 2008 12:54 PM
Great job "T" it would be an honor and a pleasure to work with you. Keep up the good work.
Posted by: Tamara at May 14, 2008 2:20 PM
Sono così orgoglioso di lei, la sorella! Grande lavoro! Mantenerlo! So che lei può farlo!
Posted by: Ria at May 14, 2008 2:35 PM
Non ho capito che stiamo facendo i nostri commenti in Italiano addesso, ma sto molto contenta di farlo.
Complimenti, Theresa. Sei molto brava! Buona fortuna con OFD, anche.
Posted by: Sherrill at May 14, 2008 2:54 PM
Congrats Theresa! Are we going to have to do that test at CFO (just for fun)? yikes!
Posted by: Robyn at May 14, 2008 3:13 PM
Theresa -
Wishing you well thru the hiring process!
Posted by: brad gilliatt at May 14, 2008 3:46 PM
Truly impressive Theresa!
Can we get of shot of you for the MILF calender?
Posted by: connie at May 14, 2008 5:16 PM
Thank you all for your kind words, constant support and enthusiasm!
Posted by: T at May 14, 2008 6:47 PM
right on, T. congrats on all of your hard work and dedication, and passing that test. awesome.
Posted by: Joe P at May 14, 2008 9:17 PM
Theresa: it is always a treat to talk to someone who is so clear on their goals and is absolutely dedicated in reaching them.
Thank you.
Laura
Posted by: LB at May 14, 2008 10:17 PM
Con:
Glad you are as excited about the MILF calendar as I am!
Posted by: angela at May 15, 2008 8:43 AM