chapter 6 developing medical and fitness standards 6-1

Chapter 6

Developing Medical and Fitness Standards

6-1

Introduction

• No aspect of a cultural change for safety is as daunting as implementing a national medical and physical fitness standard for the fire service

• Opinions of health and physical fitness vary widely

• This chapter will focus on what is being done to improve health and fitness

• How our bodies use energy and react to firefighting

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Life Safety Initiative 6

Develop and implement national medical and physical fitness standards that are equally applicable to all firefighters, based on the duties they are expected to perform

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COMMON PUSH FOR HEALTH AND FITNESS

• Unacceptable number of line-of-duty deaths every year

• Movement to ensure health fitness

• National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC)

• International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF)

• International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC)

Cont.6-4


COMMON PUSH FOR HEALTH AND FITNESS

• Fire Service Joint Labor Management Wellness Fitness Initiative (WFI)

• National Volunteer Fire Council

• Firefighter statistics

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BODY METABOLISM

• Oxygen

• Overview

• Insufficient oxygen means insufficient endurance

• Respiratory and cardiovascular systems work hand in hand

Cont.6-6


BODY METABOLISM

• Oxygen

• The pump

• Overview

• Throttle

• Transfer

• Discharge pressure (blood pressure)

• Auxiliary cooler (sweating)

Cont.6-7


BODY METABOLISM

• Oxygen

• The pipes

• Size and number of discharges

• Peripheral vascular resistance (PVR)

• PVR compared to friction loss

• Viscosity (elements of blood)

Cont.6-8


BODY METABOLISM

• Oxygen

• Loading and unloading oxygen

• Efficiency

• Three components

• Oxygen uptake

• Metabolic equivalent (MET)

Cont.6-9


BODY METABOLISM

• Fuel

• Adenosine-triphosphate (ATP)

• Sources of ATP

• Carbohydrates

• Fat

• Proteins

• Creatine phosphate

Cont.6-10


BODY METABOLISM

• Aerobic versus anaerobic metabolism

• Running, walking

• Heavy resistance training

• Effects on the body

• Best workout regimen

includes both types

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PHYSICAL AGILITY TESTING

• Overview

• Criterion Task Test (CTT)

• Mimics actual fireground tasks

• Dozens of agility tests across the country

• Majority are under time constraints

Cont.6-12



• Combat challenge

• High-rise pack carry

• Hose hoist

• Forcible entry

• Hose advance

• Victim rescue

Cont.6-13



• Candidate Physical Abilities Test (CPAT)

• Most inclusive ability testing

• Tasks expected at fire scene

• Fit for duty versus wellness

• NFPA 1583

• NFPA 1582

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MAINTENANCE VERSUS REPAIRS

• Overview

• Much invested in preventative

maintenance (PM)

• Reduce chances of

catastrophic failure

• Truck checks

• Annual pump testing6-15


EFFICIENCY FACTORS OF FIREFIGHTING

• Work rate

• Pace affects overall performance

• Energy usage outpaces work completed

• Movement speed

• Optimal speed for best results

• Adrenaline makes overkill a possibility

Cont.6-16


EFFICIENCY FACTORS OF FIREFIGHTING

• Extrinsic factors

• Muscle fiber composition

• Fitness level

• Body composition

• Technique

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Summary

• Physical and mental stresses of firefighting tax our bodies severely

• Not uncommon for some emergency responders to exceed their physical limitations

• Responders must prepare for the anticipated stresses well in advance of an emergency

• Requires a personal accountability to safety• Includes continuous medical and physical

maintenance followed by annual testing6-18

chapter 6 developing medical and fitness standards 6-1

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