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Transcript of Chief Fire Officer Association Paul Hancock, Deputy Chief Fire Officer Update on National Aerobic...
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