Transcript: Firefighter Training

HARRY: Wow, that's a beauty!

DAVE: Thanks. It certainly gets enough work. We go out on about 3,000 calls a year!

HARRY: There are that many fires?

DAVE: No, some are false alarms set off by smoke detectors. Some are small fires, but even small fires can turn into big ones in seconds.

HARRY: Since you're all guys you get to leave your clothes all over. Nice.

DAVE: False. Firefighters are men and women and that's not a mess. When we get a call, we only have seconds to respond, so we just step into the boots, pull up the overalls and we're good to go.

HARRY: Wow!

HARRY: I've decided to become one of New York City's Bravest -- a Firefighter. But in order to pass the test I've been studying... practicing...

HARRY: And because firefighters have to be in tiptop shape, I've been working out. When I first started training, my rate, the number of steps per minute, wasn't very good Today, I reached my goal: more than 60 steps per minute, and I kept that pace for five minutes.

DAVE: I'll grade this while you get ready for the physical part of the test.

HARRY: Great. Here is the line graph of my last workout.

DAVE: This looks very good. I'll enter this data in the computer. See you in the gym. Where's your exercise gear?

HARRY: I'm wearing it.

DAVE: This is a test to see if you can run up the steps of a burning building, not play volleyball at the beach. Go get suited up.

Harry, you did very well on the written part of the test. But let me show you the results from the physical exam. This is a line graph from when you were in shorts and sneakers. Here are the results from when you were dressed in firefighter's gear. What can you tell me about these two graphs?

HARRY: Well, without all the heavy clothing I reached more than 85 steps per minute, and then maintained a rate of more than 60 steps per minute for five minutes.

DAVE: What can you tell from the other graph?

HARRY: Well, with the gear, I peaked at around 43 steps per minute, went down to 38, and then I stopped.

DAVE: That's very good!

HARRY: I passed?

DAVE: No, you didn't, but you really know your graphs. If you want to help people, there are a lot of other jobs.

HARRY: Really? Could I still slide down the pole?