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
