Normandy
Fire Protection District
Training: Physical Fitness Program
Table of Contents
Article
I. Training: Physical Fitness Program
(g) Unsatisfactory performance
Section
1.04 Physical Fitness Committee
(f) Prerequisite for return to duty
Section
1.05 Individual Physical Fitness
Program
(b) Physical Performance Assessment
Section
1.06 Training and Education
Section
1.07 Physical Fitness Program
Maintenance
Section
1.09 Goals of the Physical Fitness
Program
Section
1.10 Medical Evaluation For Periodic
Surveillance
Section
1.11 Fitness Standards (Emergency
Response Personnel)
Section
1.12 Physical Performance Assessment
(b) The following tasks are performed
in full turn out gear unless indicated.
Whereas, the nature of
tasks which a firefighter will be called upon to perform requires an unusually
high degree of physical fitness, agility, and dexterity, and
Whereas, Firefighters
experience an exceptionally high rate of service-connected injuries and deaths
which are indicated by the studies revealing that firefighting is a most
hazardous occupation, and
Whereas, for the good of
the District it is mandatory that emergency responders employed by the District
are physically fit for duty at all times,
Wherefore, the Normandy
Fire Protection District does hereby establish a Physical Fitness Training and
Evaluation Program.
The
mission of the Normandy Fire Protection District is to protect lives and
property from fires, disasters, and emergencies.
To
accomplish this mission safely and efficiently, the Normandy Fire Protection
District has a goal of maintaining physically fit personnel.
The
physical fitness program is established for all personnel to maintain a level
of fitness in order to safely perform their assigned functions and to reduce
the probability and severity of occupational injuries and illnesses. It has not
been developed to chastise, harass, or eliminate.
The
physical fitness program shall be under the medical supervision of the Fire
Protection District physician.
Supervisors
shall be held responsible for the overseeing of all fitness workout activities.
Workouts
should focus on non-contact, non-competitive activities.
Activities
should not interfere with normal duties.
This
program is mandatory for all personnel who are normally assigned to emergency
response activities.
Personnel
who do not satisfy the required levels of fitness shall not be permitted to
engage in emergency activities; moreover, unsatisfactory performance may be
cause for termination in the event that satisfactory performance at the required
levels of fitness is essential to job performance.
All
other personnel are encouraged to participate in the Physical Fitness Program.
The
Physical Fitness Committee will be comprised of the following persons appointed
by the Fire Chief: one (1) Deputy Fire Chief and one (1) person from each
platoon or shift -- A, B, and C, in addition it shall include the Medical
Officer, the Training Officer and such other persons as may be designated by
the Fire Chief.
Physical
Fitness Committee members will serve at the pleasure of the Fire Chief.
The
employees may submit a list of names for appointment as committee members.
The
Physical Fitness Committee will recommend program guidelines, assist in
administration of fitness testing, monitor District fitness trends, and review
applications for off-duty fitness programs prior to approval by the Fire Chief.
The
medical evaluation process shall include pre-placement medical evaluations,
periodic medical evaluations, and return-to-duty medical evaluations.
Medical
evaluations will be performed by a doctor of the District's choice.
·
The
Fire Protection District shall have an officially designated physician who
shall be responsible for guiding, directing, and advising the members with
regard to their health, fitness, and suitability for various duties.
·
The
Fire Protection District physician shall provide medical guidance in the
management of the occupational safety and health program.
·
The
Fire Protection District physician shall be a licensed medical doctor qualified
to provide professional expertise in the areas of occupational safety and
health as relates to emergency services.
·
The
Fire Protection District physician shall be readily available for consultation
and to provide professional services on an urgent basis. This may be
accomplished by providing access to a number of qualified physicians.
Two
(2) copies of the medical evaluation results will be issued: One (1) to the
employee and one (1) to the District's physician files.
The
Fire Protection District shall establish and maintain a permanent health file
on each individual member; the file will record the results of regular medical
and fitness tests, occupational illnesses or injuries, and events that expose
an individual to known or suspected hazardous materials, toxic products, or
contagious diseases.
Health
information shall be maintained as a confidential record for each individual
member, as well as for a composite data-base for the analysis of factors
pertaining to the overall health and fitness of the member group.
All
personnel 40-years and older who engage in emergency response, and all assigned
Haz Mat team members, shall be re-examined by the physician on no less than an
annual basis and before being reassigned to emergency duties following
debilitating illnesses or injuries. Members who have not satisfied these
requirements of the examination shall not be permitted to engage in emergency
operations. When these examinations are conducted by a physician other than the
Fire Protection District physician, the examination report shall be subject to
the review and approval of the Fire Protection District physician.
All
other personnel shall be re-examined every two (2) years.
Medical
evaluations will be performed by the District doctor while personnel are on
duty, or individuals will be compensated at the overtime rate if required to be
evaluated while off duty. Referral medical exams will be performed off duty,
without compensation.
Individuals
who are released to duty but are referred for medical follow-up should
follow-up with a personal physician on their employee health plan.
Upon
release to duty following debilitating injuries or illnesses of any duration,
personnel shall be subject to medical evaluation and fitness testing that is
appropriate for assignment. Upon release to duty following leaves of absence,
alternate assignments, or other qualifying situations, personnel shall be
subject to medical evaluation, fitness testing, and skills evaluation
appropriate for assignment, per this or current policy.