I note your comment and refer you back to the original query which discussed
firefighters in industry.
I agree that all firefighters should be up to the standards set by the home
office, however, these standards were initially set to predict the health of
a fire fighter for the full years service when they initially apply at
pre-employment. The eye standards are an example which is currently being
challenged by the DDA as you are probably aware.
The expectations of private firefighters in private companies, who
supplement the statutory fire service provision, may not be the same as
those in the fire service itself. It is down to an appropriate assessment of
risk and the nature of duties to be performed. If we do not ensure that we
are assessing against the actual risk of the job our decisions may be
questionable.
Amanda Dowson
Health Services Manager
Bradford College
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Warren Ellison [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: 07 January 2001 16:14
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: fitness testing for auxillary fire fighters in industry
>
> At the moment the level of fitness required is being assessed by using the
>
> 'bleep'test at a pass level of 9.6. This has replaced the step test. I
> would be regard as dubious any attempt to impose different levels of
> fitness
> for firefighters just because they are employed on different contracts (or
>
> they do not have one!) If they are required to attend fires using the
> same
> equipment as wholetime firefighters they should be tested to the same
> level.
>
> Warren Ellison
> Firefighter
> OHS Student
>
>
> >From: Amanda Dowson <[log in to unmask]>
> >Reply-To: Amanda Dowson <[log in to unmask]>
> >To: [log in to unmask]
> >Subject: Re: fitness testing for auxillary fire fighters in industry
> >Date: Tue, 2 Jan 2001 12:29:27 -0000
> >
> >A number of years ago we applied the same standards of fitness for fire
> >fighting for those in industry as those in the fire service. If I
> remember
> >rightly these are set down in a Fire Service Regulation. There is a Fire
> >Service fitness standard which uses the step test method of fitness
> >testing.
> >This involved a five minute step test, the height of the step was
> specified
> >in the Home Office guidance, (sorry, cant find original document
> reference,
> >but if anyone from the Fire Services is picking upo n this no doubt they
> >could help) the heghts being different for males and females.
> >
> >A metronome was set at 90 beats per minute and client stepped up and down
>
> >to
> >this beat. A post exercise pulse rate was taken as was body weight and a
> >fitness score was given. This was then adjusted for the age of the client
> >and a fitness category was given. This was based on a concept developed
> by
> >Sedish physiologists and a scoring calculator was produced at the Human
> >Performance Lab, University of Montana from tests involving thousands of
> >Forest Workers.
> >
> >I think that this may need to be adjusted depending on the nature of the
> >fire fighting for which they are involved. Are they expected to fight
> fires
> >until the fire brigade get there, if so what are the expected delays /
> >increased risks involved. If they are likely to be fire fighting until
> the
> >fire brigade gat there and then stepping back, you may need to consider
> >whether the same fitness standard is applicable. If your security
> measures
> >and specific risks determine that they are likely to be fire fighting for
>
> >an
> >extended period of time, (as I would think they are other wise you would
> >not
> >be employing them perhaps) then perhaps this is the best standard to use.
> >
> >Hope this helps ?
> >
> >Amanda Dowson
> >Health Services Manager
> >Bradford College
> >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: Geoff M Kitching [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> > > Sent: 02 January 2001 11:16
> > > To: [log in to unmask]
> > > Subject: fitness testing for auxillary fire fighters in industry
> > >
> > > Firstly, best wishes for 2001 to all.
> > >
> > > Secondly, i have been asked to carry out fitness testing on employees
> > > who's
> > > second role is to respond in emergency situations and perform
> auxillary
> > > firefighting duties which may involve wearing full breathing apparatus
>
> >and
> > > rescuing casualties.
> > >
> > > I have recently purchased the Monark Bicycle Ergometer and understand
> >the
> > > concept of Maximal Oxygen Uptake, but have difficulty in setting a
> >minimum
> > > required level for establishing fitness to perform the role in
> question.
> > > Can anyone help or does anybody know of any recognised minimum
> >standards?
> > >
> > > Regards
> > > Geoff Kitching
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>
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