OTTUMWA, IOWA -- On Facebook, viewers wanted to know the physical requirements for becoming a police officer and firefighter.

KTVO spoke to Ottumwa Police Chief Jim Clark. He said for the State of Iowa, an applicant must pass a physical agility test, a color vision test, and a hearing exam in order to enter the police academy. 

The Physical Agility Test is based off a person's age and gender.  It includes sit-ups, push-ups and a 1.5 mile run. A female applicant ages 20-29 years old must complete 32 sit-ups in a minute, 15 push-ups in a minute, and a 1.5 mile run in 15:26 minutes. A male applicant ages 20-29 years old has to complete 38 sit-ups in a minute, 29 push-ups in a minute, and a 1.5 mile run in 12:51 minutes.

Clark says the Physical Agility Test is an indicator of whether an applicant can successfully complete the police academy. He says it's important that officers are physically fit because they have to chase suspects, subdue people, and also help paramedics lift 300 pound patients into ambulences.

" It can be quite taxing on a person's back, which is why a person needs to have their back muscles strenthened so they can do those types of tasks."

KTVO also spoke to Deputy Fire Chief Mike Jones at the Ottumwa Fire Department about the physical requirements for becoming a firefighter.

He said that applicants must pass a medical examination, a physical test and a written test. The physical test includes:

1. Climbing a 50 ft. ladder at a 75 degree angle.

2. Completing a maze with table and chair obstacles while wearing a black-out face piece 

3.Raising a ladder under time constraint

4. Extending a dry hose and a hose filled with water under time constraint

5. Dragging a 145 lb. mannequin 100 ft. while walking backwards.

6. Hitting a target 50 times with a six pound sledge hammer under time constraint

Jones says that all of of these tasks are completed while wearing a firefighter coat and air pack.

Both the Ottumwa Police Department and the Ottumwa Fire Department said they do not re-test their employees at a later date.

The Ottumwa Police Department is hiring two new police officers. They are accepting applications until Sept. 5 and they will conduct the written test, Physcial Agility Test and oral interviews for the position on Sept. 23.

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