FireFit Update on Fitness Standards and Research Richard Stevenson MSc PGD BSc MSMA

FireFit Update on Fitness FireFit Update on Fitness

Standards and ResearchStandards and Research

Richard Stevenson Richard Stevenson MSc PGD BSc MSMAMSc PGD BSc MSMA

Senior Health & Fitness AdviserSenior Health & Fitness Adviser

South Wales Fire & Rescue ServiceSouth Wales Fire & Rescue Service

2009 Recommendations:

“….11. Further research is necessary to further quantify the energy requirements of firefighting.

12. Further work needs to be undertaken to identify role specific fitness levels”.

• VO2 expressed in ml/kg/min.

• Key tasks identified and quantified in terms of VO2 .

• Minimum level of aerobic capacity recommended for Royal Navy fire-fighters.

• Key points:

The tasks were:

• Boundary Cooling

• Drum Carry

• Extinguisher Carry

• Hose Run and

• Ladder Climb

Minimum recommended standard of 41 ml / kg / minMinimum recommended standard of 41 ml / kg / min-1-1

Research Project

Project Funding:

• FireFit

• CFOA

• Knowledge Transfer Partnership through Bath University

CFOA & FireFit

Firefighter Fitness Research

Bath University

The primary objectives will include:

• To identify the most physically demanding key tasks performed by firefighters.

• To quantify the aerobic demands of these key tasks

• To recommend role related, minimum levels of cardiorespiratory fitness for fire service personnel.

Aims & Objectives

Title: The Classification of the Aerobic Demands of FirefightingTitle: The Classification of the Aerobic Demands of Firefighting

The key tasks may include the following scenarios:

• Hose Running.• Foam Drum Carry.• Wildland Fire Supression.• Forced Door Entry and Casualty Evacuation.• Equipment Carry with Vertical Ascent / Descent.• Equipment Carry in Rural Situation.

Aims & Objectives

Next Step

Consultation Process:

• All Fire & Rescue Services - Fitness Advisers - Occupational Health - Human Resources

- Operational Departments

• Unions & Rep Bodies - FBU- HSE

• Scientific Community - Kevin Sykes (Chester University)- Mark Rayson (OP Ltd)

Dr James Bilzon BSc MSc PhD.

Director of Studies in Sport & Exercise Medicine.

University of Bath