'Due to COVID-19 Prevention Measures' ... Extension of Physical Fitness Test Period for New Firefighter Recruitment

Distributed Implementation Up to 8 Days by Region
Test Dates for Gwangju and Jeonnam Undecided

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] The National Fire Agency announced on the 15th that it will stagger the physical fitness test schedule for newly recruited firefighters by region to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

This physical fitness test is being conducted at 16 test centers nationwide from the 13th of this month to the 18th of next month for those who passed the written exam held on the 20th of last month. However, Gwangju and Jeonnam have not yet set exact schedules considering the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in those areas.

Firefighter physical fitness tests have generally been conducted all in one day, but this year, to maintain social distancing, if there are many examinees, the test will be divided and conducted over up to 8 days. In Seoul, it is scheduled to be held over 4 days from July 28 to 31, in Gyeonggi from August 10 to 14 for 5 days, and in Chungnam from July 21 to 30 for 8 days.

Examinees under self-quarantine are assigned separate dates to take the physical fitness test one by one. Confirmed COVID-19 cases are not allowed to take the test.

Test locations are primarily outdoors to prevent infection among examinees, but when conducted indoors, spacious gymnasiums are selected.

Examinees enter the test site after having their temperature checked and confirming mask-wearing, and must continue wearing masks during the test. Additionally, hand sanitization is performed for each physical fitness test event, and after measurement, equipment is disinfected before the next person takes the test.

While waiting for the test, examinees must maintain a distance of at least 1.5 meters from each other, and for the back-and-forth long-distance running, a distance of at least 2 meters from the person beside them is required.

The firefighter physical fitness test consists of six events, with grades for each event converted into scores to calculate a total score, which accounts for 15% of the final pass evaluation. After the physical fitness test, there are medical examinations and interviews, and the final successful candidates are announced according to the schedules of each city and province.