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LCC-MFB Recruitment strength test
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LCC-MFB Recruitment strength test
There were many applications to join the MFB and there were about 99% rejections. A stern standard of physical fitness was laid down by the LCC and the Brigade. Candidates could not be younger than 19 nor older than 31, although some flexibility was given to ex-servicemen. Potential recruits to the MFB had to pass a strength test. This involved raising a wheeled escape ladder into the vertical via a block and tackle arrangement. The picture shows a candidate (on the top of the ladder) performing his strength test. The pull required a direct force of 244 pounds and was not an easy task
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Media ID 7641687
© London Fire Brigade / Mary Evans Picture Library
1898 Applications Candidates Courtyard Escape Fitness Join Ladder Ladders Pass Physical Practice Practise Practising Raising Recruit Recruitment Recruits Selection Selective Southwark Standard Stern Strength Strong Test Testing Tests Tough Wheel Wheeled Yard Firefighter Firefighters Fireman Firemen
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EDITORS COMMENTS
In this evocative photograph from the 1890s, a determined candidate for the London County Council (LCC) Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB) undergoes a grueling strength test in the courtyard of a fire station. With the high volume of applications flooding in to join the esteemed fire service, the LCC and the Brigade imposed a stringent standard of physical fitness, rejecting an astonishing 99% of applicants. The candidate in the image, dressed in a heavy coat and tie, is seen at the top of a wheeled escape ladder, pulling with all his might against a block and tackle arrangement. The test required a direct force of 244 pounds, a challenging feat that only the strongest and most dedicated candidates could pass. The stern selection process ensured that only the most capable individuals were chosen to join the MFB, instilling a sense of pride and respect for the firefighters who served the community. The test took place in the yard of the fire station, surrounded by the brick walls and tall, imposing buildings of Victorian London. The scene exudes an air of intensity and focus, as the candidate gives his all to secure a place in the esteemed fire service. The image is a testament to the dedication and determination required to become a firefighter in the late 19th century, a time when the role was both physically and mentally demanding. This photograph, taken by an unknown photographer and held in the Mary Evans Picture Library, offers a rare glimpse into the rigorous recruitment process of the LCC Metropolitan Fire Brigade, a time when only the strongest and most committed individuals were selected to serve their community as firefighters.
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