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.
Emergency
responders and other personnel engaged in fitness activities on District time
shall participate in fitness testing. Fitness testing will be non-competitive
and designed to encourage "best effort" for establishing individual
baselines and District program effectiveness.
The employee shall be subject to such physical performance assessment as is required by any physical performance evaluator or assessor employed by the district, including pre-assessment measures, task performed in full turn out gear, and post assessment measures.
Participants
will be tested, counseled, and given recommendations for maintenance and
improvement of individual performance.
Physical
fitness profiles will be completed every two (2) years.
If,
in the opinion of the individual responsible for medical monitoring, a medical
problem is identified for an employee, the employee will be referred to his/her
personal physician on their employee health plan.
Examples
of referral include:
·
An
individual unable to participate in any element of fitness testing.
·
An
individual presenting a physical abnormality that, in the opinion of the
exercise leader or physiologist, requires medical follow-up.
·
An
individual absent due to reporting sick or taking sick leave for any period of
duration.
·
An
individual reporting an on the job injury or illness.
Individuals
referred must submit a Physician's Statement Form as prescribed by the
District.
Upon
release to full duty, the individual will reschedule to finish incomplete portions
of the testing process.
Monthly
individual training records shall reflect physical fitness training hours. All programs and records will be reviewed on
an individual basis.
A
re-test to be removed from Rehabilitation, Phase I or II, may be requested in
writing through the Physical Fitness Review Committee. A maximum of two (2)
re-tests may be scheduled annually. Re-tests shall be administered in
accordance with the Fitness Standards listed herein.
Members
who are unable to meet the fitness standards shall enter a rehabilitation
program to facilitate progress in attaining a level of fitness commensurate
with the individual's assigned functions and activities.
Rehabilitation
programs will be established by the Physical Fitness Committee or such persons
as designated by said committee, including the Training Officer, Medical
Officer, exercise leader or physiologist and/or Fire Protection District
physician for individuals who fail the minimum fitness standards.
Failure
to pass standards required herein will result in emergency responders
participating in a mandatory on-duty exercise program. Time will be scheduled
by the supervisor for an on-duty exercise period. A Physical Fitness Training
Diary tracking progress toward fitness goals will be submitted monthly to the
Fitness Committee. The training diary will be maintained as part of the
employee's permanent training record.
Failure
to pass standards required herein a second time, two years later, will result
in referral of emergency responders to the Fire Protection District
physician. Individuals who are referred
must submit a Physician's Statement Form following referral. If released to full duty, an individual will
return to Phase I with the following added conditions:
i)Special education
Monthly
special education assignments shall be completed and submitted to the immediate
supervisor with the training diary.
ii)Counseling
A
meeting with the Fire Chief or his/her representative will be scheduled to
discuss the requirements for present assignment and the need for possible
reassignment to maintain a positive environment for the individual to attain
fitness goals.
It
shall be an ongoing objective of the Fire Protection District to assist members
affected by occupational injuries or illnesses in their rehabilitation and to
facilitate their return to full active duty or limited duty where possible. In
all cases, the Fire Protection District shall have an ultimate concern for the
members' ability to regain and maintain comfortable, healthy, and productive
lives during and after their service with the Fire Protection District.
A
program will be designed for each individual to work towards his/her optimum
level.
Training
and education for use of equipment, exercise, diet, and other related programs
will be provided by the District and/or other contract personnel.
Each
fire station will be provided with exercise information and equipment; e.g.,
exercycles, rowing machines, weight benches, free weights, jump ropes, chin-up
bar, step bench, mats, etc.
Emergency
response personnel will be provided an exercise period for fitness maintenance
and improvement using his/her designed program.
Other
personnel may request a workout schedule that is acceptable to his/her
immediate supervisor and that does not adversely impact workload.
All
workouts will be conducted at Fire Protection District facilities.
If
no on-site workout facilities exist, individuals may request -- in writing to
the appropriate Division Chief -- to participate in a supervised program at a
health club facility.
Forty
(40) hour employees participating in a workout program will be released between
0730-0800 Hours or 1630-1700 Hours (if workload permits) for program
maintenance at the approved workout facility. It is anticipated that forty (40)
hour employees will workout at least thirty (30) minutes prior to or after
regular work hours -- on their own time -- to maintain a one (1) hour workout
program.
Competitive
sports that have a high potential for physical contact are prohibited (e.g.,
football, basketball, volleyball, etc.).
Personnel
must apply for coverage. Approval for a program will continue for a period of
two years; said time period to coincide with bi-yearly District medical
examinations. If continued coverage is desired, personnel must reapply.
Applications
will include:
·
Name
·
Date
·
Location
of facility
·
Type
of program (compliance with these guidelines)
·
Fitness
goals
Workout
facilities must be licensed for business (i.e., gymnasiums, spas, clubs); no
private gyms/clubs will be accepted.
Workout
areas are to be supervised by trained and/or certified instructors.
All
equipment must be monitored, serviced, or repaired on a regular basis.
Activities
must be non-contact and non-competitive (racquet sports, individual and/or team
competitions will not be covered).
Programs
should focus on development of flexibility, strength, and cardiovascular
endurance.
Injuries
must be verified by the facility supervisor. A written report will be forwarded
to the District.
Goals of the Physical Fitness Program include
1.
Maintaining
physically fit personnel.
2.
Reducing
job-incurred illness, injuries, and disabilities.
3.
Establishing
medical baseline records.
4.
Validating
District entry-level physical standards.
5.
Developing
safety consciousness in a fit emergency response force.
6.
Promoting
high morale.
7.
Reduction
of incidences of absence due to sick leave.
Medical evaluation of employees for periodic surveillance shall include the following:
1.
Complete
medical history.
2.
Occupational
history with review of personal exposure records.
3.
Physical
examination.
4.
Laboratory
tests:
1.
Urinalysis
2.
Chemistry
panel
3.
Blood
count
4.
Occult
blood test
5.
PSA
for male employees over 50 (optional)
6.
Pap
smear for female employees over 50 (optional)
5.
Spirometry,
pulmonary function
The
Fire Protection District shall adopt and maintain a respiratory protection program
that meets the requirements of ANSI Z88.5, Practices for Respiratory Protection
for the Fire Service, and ANSI Z88.6, Standard for Respiratory Protection -
Respiratory Use - Physical Qualifications for Personnel.
All
members using SCBA shall be medically certified by a physician on an annual
basis, and shall be regularly trained, tested, and certified in the safe and
proper use of this equipment. When this evaluation is conducted by a physician
other than the Fire Protection District physician, the evaluation shall be
subject to the review and approval of the Fire Protection District physician.
The
face piece seal capability of each member qualified to use SCBA shall be
verified by qualitative fit testing on an annual basis and any time new types of
SCBA are issued. Each new member shall be tested before being permitted to use
SCBA in a hazardous atmosphere. Only members with a properly fitting face piece
shall be permitted by the Fire Protection District to function in a hazardous
atmosphere with self-contained breathing apparatus.
6.
Audiometry
7.
Vision
screening
8.
Evaluation
of musculoskeletal system
9.
Health
promotion
10.
Required
driver's license medical exams
1.
Implementation:
1. Advisory/Counseling
2. Aerobic Fitness minimums
3. Aerobic, Strength, and
Flexibility minimums
2.
Aerobic
Fitness
1.
Sub-max
bicycle test: 40 ml/kg VO2
2.
Mile
and a Half Run: 12 minutes or less - Re-test only
3.
Treadmill
(VO2 ml/kg): 40 ml/kg VO2 Entry level (base line)
3.
Strength
1.
Pull-ups
(palms in or out): 3, or
2.
Flexed
arm hang: 45 seconds, and
3.
Push-ups:
20 in 30 seconds, and
4.
Sit-ups
(crunches): 30 in 60 seconds
5.
Cybex
leg strength/balance:
Quads
110 minimum Entry level (base line)
Hamstrings
60% minimum
Balance
between legs
10%
maximum
4.
Flexibility:
1.
Hip
Flex (sit & reach): 12 inch minimum
2.
General
Measurements as appropriate for coaching
Note:
Body composition (body fat) will be advisory only, but will remain as a part of
the District testing program.
The
above standards will be adopted as minimums. National Physical Requirements
(fitness standards) for firefighters, as may be updated, shall be adopted by
the administration as the standards for the District.