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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