Becoming a fire brigade team leader is no easy feat in Taichung and candidates have to prove that they have what it takes to join the team.
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Taichung City’s fire department recently held promotion assessments, conducting physical tests over two tiring days. In addition to basic tests like a 1500-meter run and shuttle runs, candidates were required to carry weights and even drag a 70-kilogram dummy to simulate rescue operations in case of a fire. Fully geared up with oxygen tanks and masks, they sprinted forward, battling the weight and constraints of their gear.
With almost one hundred candidates, these days were highly competitive and with only a 20% pass rate, the odds were daunting. Team members gave it their all, some even applying for the third consecutive year in hopes of securing the coveted position. One applicant who does strength training emphasized the challenge of the running section due to weaker muscle endurance.
This is the fire department's way of selecting the best among them for squad leader promotions. Not only must these leaders perform exceptionally in normal circumstances, but they must also exhibit exceptional physical strength and endurance, crucial for the demands of firefighting and disaster response.