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.

Section 1.02 Introduction

(a) Mission

The mission of the Normandy Fire Protection District is to protect lives and property from fires, disasters, and emergencies.

(b) Goal

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.

(b) Medical Supervision

The physical fitness program shall be under the medical supervision of the Fire Protection District physician.

(c) Oversight

Supervisors shall be held responsible for the overseeing of all fitness workout activities.

(d) Focus

Workouts should focus on non-contact, non-competitive activities.

(e) Normal duties

Activities should not interfere with normal duties.

(f) Program mandatory

This program is mandatory for all personnel who are normally assigned to emergency response activities.

(g) Unsatisfactory performance

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.

(h) Other personnel

All other personnel are encouraged to participate in the Physical Fitness Program.

Section 1.04 Physical Fitness Committee

(a) Membership

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.

(i) Tenure

Physical Fitness Committee members will serve at the pleasure of the Fire Chief.

(ii) Employees recommended

The employees may submit a list of names for appointment as committee members.

(iii) Duties

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.

(b) Medical Evaluations

(i) Time

The medical evaluation process shall include pre-placement medical evaluations, periodic medical evaluations, and return-to-duty medical evaluations.

(ii) Examiner

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.

(iii) Results

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.

(iv) Health file

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.

(v) Confidentiality

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.

(c) Periodic Examinations

(i) Age 40 and over

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.

(ii) Other personnel

All other personnel shall be re-examined every two (2) years.

(d) Overtime

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.

(e) Medical follow-up

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.

(f) Prerequisite for return to duty

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.