Chief Fire Officer Association

Paul Hancock, Deputy Chief Fire Officer

Update on National Aerobic Fitness Standards

Fire Brigade Union

John McGhee, FBU National Officer

FireFit Steering GroupPaul Wilsher & Rich Stevenson

FireFit Steering group

Key summary findings of FRS fitness policies and practices survey

Paul Wilsher

Key areas

• Fitness policy• Fitness testing of operational personnel• Aerobic standards

– gender, age, role adjustments• Testing frequency and protocols used• Supervision & Qualifications• Watch PTI courses

Respondents

• Questionnaire sent to 62 CFOs UK & Channel Islands in March 2009

• 43 Responses (69%) received between April – June 2009

• 19 did not respond

Policy

• 30 FRSs (70%) have a fitness policy• 9 have a policy in development• 4 do not have a policy

Dedicated Fitness Adviser

22

15

51

No Fulltime Fitness Adviser Non Uniform Fitness Adviser

Uniformed Fitness Adviser Mixed Team

7 FRSs employ a part-time or dual role fitness adviser

Fitness adviser Qualifications

• 13 FRSs stated that their fitness adviser held a Sports Science based Degree

• Other typical qualifications were diverse:– NVQ level 3– HND, HNC– REPS level 3 personal trainer

• Need for a person specification for role?

Fitness Assessments

8

11

7

7

10

35

No Fitness Assessment Occupational Health Fitness Adviser

Watch PTI Not Specified

35 FRSs (81%) carry out fitness testing

Fitness Testing Frequency

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

No

. F

RS

s

6 12 18 24 36 variable

Testing Frequency (months)

Aerobic Fitness Standard

• 18 apply VO2 standard of 42mlO2/kg/min

• 9 apply modified standard for age• 7 apply modified standard for age and gender• Some operate a role related policy• 28 FRSs (65%) remove from operational duties

(range <22 - <38mlO2/kg/min)

Primary Protocols

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

No

. F

RS

s

ChesterStep

Shuttle Run Gasanalysis

ChesterTreadmill

Walk

AstrandCycle

Protocols

15 FRSs use gas analysis to underpin primary protocol

Watch PTIs

• 19 FRSs stated that they had watch PTIs– Trained predominantly ‘in-house’– Training ranges from 1-10 days

• 8 FRSs deliver externally accredited courses e.g. Level 2 gym instructor– YMCA, ActiveIQ

Summary

• Majority of FRSs have fitness policies– Fitness issues now taken seriously

• Disparity of policy, direction and standard• Survey results

– Further debate– Sharing best practice

• Target to result in more uniform approach to fire fighter health and fitness

Thank you to all respondents

Full details & report will be available at

www.firefitsteeringgroup.co.uk