COVINGTON, Ga  - Newton County Fire Rescue put 22 applicants for firefighter through its Physical Agility Test Thursday at the fire academy on Piper Road. 

The test, in temperatures approaching 90 degrees, included dragging a mannequin, dragging a charged hose line, climbing stairs with a firehose and raising a ladder. The aspiring firefighters were also required to climb to the top of the county’s 75-foot aerial ladder, connect to the ladder with a belt and let go. 

Fire Chief Michael Conner told The Covington News he hopes to start a new recruit class with the successful applicants later this summer. 

The new firefighters will help alleviate staffing shortages at NCFS and staff a new station. The Newton County Board of Commissioners approved the land purchase for Fire Station 8 Tuesday night.