GM3 ADR.OPS.B.010(a)(4) Rescue and firefighting services

PHYSICAL FITNESS EVALUATION PROGRAMME

The physical fitness of rescue and firefighting personnel will be evaluated at regular intervals. For this reason, a physical fitness evaluation programme is necessary.

The evaluation should be anti-discriminatory, non-punitive or non-competitive. The results of the evaluation may be used to establish the person’s baseline or measured against the person’s previous assessments.

A physical fitness evaluation will also be considered following significant absence, illness or injury prior to a return to operational duty.

The physical fitness evaluation includes:

(a) a pre-evaluation health questionnaire;

(b) an evaluation of aerobic capacity; and

(c) an evaluation of muscular strength, endurance and flexibility.

PRE-EVALUATION PROCEDURE

(a) Rescue and firefighting personnel complete a pre-assessment screening questionnaire to identify contraindications for participation in the fitness assessment.

(b) If rescue and firefighting personnel have an incapacitating medical problem or a newly acquired chronic medical condition, the physical fitness assessment will be postponed until the rescue and firefighting personnel have been assessed as fit by the medical staff. In such circumstances, the rescue and firefighting personnel are assessed as unfit.

FITNESS TESTS

Individual physical fitness is tested as follows:

(a) Operational fitness tests

Physical fitness is evaluated using appropriate standard protocols. The physical fitness test ensure that the rescue and firefighting personnel are able to effectively demonstrate the following representative operational competencies:

(1) Stair or ladder climbing while carrying an additional load;

(2) Ladder raise and extension;

(3) Equipment carry;

(4) Rescue drag;

(5) Operating in an enclosed space;

(6) Hose drill and operations;

(7) Operating in a high temperature environment with breathing apparatus; and

(8) Aerobic fitness assessment:

(i) For full operational duties, a VO2 Max of at least the firefighters’ average or better for age and gender and not less than 35 ml/kg/min is recommended.

(ii) The estimation of VO2 Max may be performed using the following tests

(A) Shuttle run;

(B) Validated step test, e.g. Cooper, Chester;

(C) Cycle ergometer;

(D) Treadmill; and

(E) Full spiro-ergometry

The above functions may be included as part of an operational exercise or carried out separately.

(b) Simulated operational physical fitness tests

Tests conducted in an appropriate facility may be used as an alternative for new recruits, untrained personnel or where the operational test is unavailable and where there is evidence that the simulated tests are a reasonable representation of operational tasks. The choice of the appropriate test depends on various aspects such as ease of administration, safety, cost and predictive value. The following methods may be used for the fitness evaluation of rescue and firefighting personnel:

(1) Muscular strength

(i) Handgrip dynamometer;

(ii) Static bicep curl with dynamometer;

(iii) Lat pull;

(iv) Static leg press with dynamometer;

(v) Bench press; and

(vi) Leg press.

(2) Muscular endurance

(i) Push-ups, modified push-ups;

(ii) Pull-ups;

(iii) Bent knee sit-ups; and

(iv) Crunches in a given time, crunches to cadence.

(3) Flexibility

(i) Sit and reach, modified sit and reach;

(ii) Trunk extension; and

(iii) Shoulder elevation.