There is no better job than firefighting.
It does not exist.

Early in 1996, 50 firefighting positions were made available in Oakland--over 5000 men and women applied. In a city without one ethnic group in the majority, Oakland Fire Services intended to build a fire department that reflected the makeup of the city.

The application process is a daunting one, with written, physical and oral exams followed by even more tests, each of which reduce the number of candidates. The process is born of the notion that firefighting is not for everyone, though every person that has the desire to try should have the opportunity. Through the eyes of several candidates, the film is a fascinating exploration of their motivation and determination.

Twenty-eight final recruits form the first academy class. From there, the classmates develop a bond and become a team, sharing the rigors of training and learning to trust one another. In March 1998, the city of Oakland graduated their newest firefighters.

TEST OF COURAGE is a thought-provoking program about opportunity and hard work. The questions of race and gender that are explored effectively reflect the broader complex issues of race and gender relations in America today.