The Los Angeles County and Orange County Fire Chief’s Physical Ability Test is designed to examine the physical ability of the individual when it comes to performing the functions or tasks of a Firefighter. The test is composed of 11 different events in which the candidates must pass in a time of 9 minutes and 34 seconds or less. Candidates may only take the Biddle test once a day.

Registration Details

Date:Refer to the Class Schedule for dates.
Make sure to select the appropriate term: Summer/Fall/Winter/Spring and under “Subject” search NFIR and hit enter. The current testing dates will show under class: NFIR 015.
Arrival Time:9:45 a.m. – doors close at 10:00 a.m. on test day.
End Time:Allow 2 to 3 hours to complete the exam. Completion of the exam is dependent on the number of students participating.
Location:Río Hondo Fire Academy
(11400 Greenstone Ave., Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670)
Instructor: Captain Jay Joiner
Cost: $25.00 (Paid online upon registration)
Registration:Online using AccessRío

If you have never registered with Río Hondo College as a student, visit Getting Started first. You will need a Student ID number in order to register for Biddle testing (which is considered a “class/course”). After registering, Admissions & Records will email you a Student ID number (usually sent out within 24 to 48 hours).

How to Register

Your Student ID number will allow you to add the Biddle test (class/course). View step by step instructions on how to register. The Biddle test is assigned a CRN number which is specific to the test date. You will need this CRN number to register for a particular test.

For registration questions contact Admissions and Records at [email protected].

For general testing information contact Jay Joiner at [email protected].

Important Information on Testing Day

  • Bring your photo ID.
  • Workout clothes and athletic shoes are recommended.
  • Bring water and/or snacks.
  • Candidates are required to wear a Turnout coat, Firefighting helmet, Structure gloves, and an SCBA. Río Hondo Fire Academy will provide the required equipment, however, candidates are allowed to utilize their own equipment after instructor inspection.
  • In order to ensure that personal equipment meets Biddle standards, Río Hondo College reserves the right for inspections.
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fire academy training
fire academy training
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fire academy training

Testing Details

Passing Time: 9 minutes and 34 seconds or less

  • Event 1 – Dry Hose Deployment
    Candidate advances 150-feet of 1.75-inch dry hose with nozzle, around two obstacles.
  • Event 2 – Charged Hose Deployment
    Candidate advances charged 1.75-inch hose with nozzle, 70-feet, 32-feet of the hose deployment involves stooping or crawling while advancing the hose into a narrowing hallway.
  • Event 3 – Halyard Raise
    Candidate raises and lowers the fly section of a 35-foot aluminum extension ladder one time.
  • Event 4 – Roof Walk
    Candidate ascends and descends a 14-foot ladder attached to a simulated-pitched roof with a chain saw in his or her hand.
  • Event 5 – Attic Crawl
    Candidate crawls a distance of 20-feet across a simulated attic-joist floor, while carrying a simulated flashlight in his or her hand.
  • Event 6 – Roof Ventilation
    Candidate stands on a simulated-pitched roof and strikes a padded area 30 times with an 8-pound sledgehammer.
  • Event 7 – Victim Removal
    Candidate carries or drags a 154-pound dummy around two obstacles 13 feet apart.
  • Event 8 – Ladder Removal/Carry
    Candidate removes a 24 foot aluminum extension ladder from mounting bracket, carries the ladder around a diamond shaped course 54 feet long and replaces the ladder back on the mounting brackets.
  • Event 9 – Stair Climb with Hose Pack
    Candidate ascends to the 4th floor of the tower, using the stairs, carrying a 49- pound hose pack. Drops the hose pack and performs event 10. Candidate then descends the tower, using the same stairs, to the first floor carrying the hose pack.
  • Event 10 – Attic Crawl
    Candidate crawls on hands and knees on the 4th floor of the tower for a distance of 60 feet. This will be done when candidate is performing event 9.
  • Event 11 – Hose Hoist
    Candidate will ascend to the 3rd floor of the tower, using the stairs, carrying 2 air bottles weighing 29 pounds (connected with a 2 foot strap). After dropping off the air bottles the candidate will then hoist up a 100 foot section of extended 1.75-inch hose line with nozzle, up and through the window, picking up the air bottles and descending the tower to the finish line, ending the test.