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ALBANY, GA. -- Nearly two dozen Albany firefighters participated in the required ability test at the fire department's training facility.

Captain Eugene Anderson says they spend a lot of time training and the idea of the annual test is readiness.  “We're paid to do a job, and we want to do that job when the time comes.  We want to do that job to the best of our ability and we want to give the constituency of Dougherty County and The City of Albany the very best” says Anderson.

Firefighters had to complete six stations in under nine minutes.  The first station required the firefighters to climb up four flights of stairs with heavy equipment.  At the second station they had to hoist more equipment up the side of the building then go back down all four flights with equipment in hand.  At the third station they had to raise and extend an extension ladder that could be used to reach someone trapped in a second story apartment.  The fourth station of the ability test includes dragging a fire hose full of water 75 feet.  At the fifth station firefighters used a sledge hammer to make short strokes to move a heavy block which simulated making a roof top entrance.  Smith: At the last station firefighters had to drag a nearly 200 pound mannequin 25 feet as if it was a rescue victim or fellow fire fighter who'd passed out.

While the tasks weren't easy all firefighters finished between 3 to 7 minutes and they say the training is comparable to real life emergencies. 

Firefighters must complete the training every year to demonstrate their ability to do drills related to their job.