FireFit Update on Fitness FireFit Update on Fitness

Standards and ResearchStandards and Research

Richard Stevenson Richard Stevenson MSc PGD BSc MSMAMSc PGD BSc MSMA

Senior Health & Fitness AdviserSenior Health & Fitness Adviser

South Wales Fire & Rescue ServiceSouth Wales Fire & Rescue Service

2009 Recommendations:

“….11. Further research is necessary to further quantify the energy requirements of firefighting.

12. Further work needs to be undertaken to identify role specific fitness levels”.

• VO2 expressed in ml/kg/min.

• Key tasks identified and quantified in terms of VO2 .

• Minimum level of aerobic capacity recommended for Royal Navy fire-fighters.

• Key points:

The tasks were:

• Boundary Cooling

• Drum Carry

• Extinguisher Carry

• Hose Run and

• Ladder Climb

Minimum recommended standard of 41 ml / kg / minMinimum recommended standard of 41 ml / kg / min-1-1

Research Project

Project Funding:

• FireFit

• CFOA

• Knowledge Transfer Partnership through Bath University

CFOA & FireFit

Firefighter Fitness Research

Bath University

The primary objectives will include:

• To identify the most physically demanding key tasks performed by firefighters.

• To quantify the aerobic demands of these key tasks

• To recommend role related, minimum levels of cardiorespiratory fitness for fire service personnel.

Aims & Objectives

Title: The Classification of the Aerobic Demands of FirefightingTitle: The Classification of the Aerobic Demands of Firefighting

The key tasks may include the following scenarios:

• Hose Running.• Foam Drum Carry.• Wildland Fire Supression.• Forced Door Entry and Casualty Evacuation.• Equipment Carry with Vertical Ascent / Descent.• Equipment Carry in Rural Situation.

Aims & Objectives

Next Step

Consultation Process:

• All Fire & Rescue Services - Fitness Advisers - Occupational Health - Human Resources

- Operational Departments

• Unions & Rep Bodies - FBU- HSE

• Scientific Community - Kevin Sykes (Chester University)- Mark Rayson (OP Ltd)

Dr James Bilzon BSc MSc PhD.

Director of Studies in Sport & Exercise Medicine.

University of Bath