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Chapter 6
Developing Medical and Fitness Standards
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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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Life Safety Initiative 6
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
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Life Safety Initiative 6
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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Life Safety Initiative 6
BODY METABOLISM
• Oxygen
• Overview
• Insufficient oxygen means insufficient endurance
• Respiratory and cardiovascular systems work hand in hand
Cont.6-6
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Life Safety Initiative 6
BODY METABOLISM
• Oxygen
• The pump
• Overview
• Throttle
• Transfer
• Discharge pressure (blood pressure)
• Auxiliary cooler (sweating)
Cont.6-7
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Life Safety Initiative 6
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
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Life Safety Initiative 6
BODY METABOLISM
• Oxygen
• Loading and unloading oxygen
• Efficiency
• Three components
• Oxygen uptake
• Metabolic equivalent (MET)
Cont.6-9
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Life Safety Initiative 6
BODY METABOLISM
• Fuel
• Adenosine-triphosphate (ATP)
• Sources of ATP
• Carbohydrates
• Fat
• Proteins
• Creatine phosphate
Cont.6-10
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Life Safety Initiative 6
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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Life Safety Initiative 6
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
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Life Safety Initiative 6
PHYSICAL AGILITY TESTING
• Combat challenge
• High-rise pack carry
• Hose hoist
• Forcible entry
• Hose advance
• Victim rescue
Cont.6-13
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Life Safety Initiative 6
PHYSICAL AGILITY TESTING
• 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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Life Safety Initiative 6
MAINTENANCE VERSUS REPAIRS
• Overview
• Much invested in preventative
maintenance (PM)
• Reduce chances of
catastrophic failure
• Truck checks
• Annual pump testing6-15
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Life Safety Initiative 6
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
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Life Safety Initiative 6
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