Implementing the Standard in Bedfordshire One Year on!! FireFit Annual Conference

1. Implementing the Standard in Bedfordshire One Year on!! FireFit Annual Conference Hertfordshire 2010 Ian Hammett BSc (Hons) Service Fitness Advisor Bedfordshire and Luton Fire & Rescue Service Safer People, Safer Places.

2. History of our Fitness Policy Original Fitness Policy implemented in 2004 based on ‘Fit for Duty’ Document Fitness Policy reviewed in 2007 and amended to include new fitness standard New Fitness Policy launched in March 2008 One Year amnesty on Fitness testing until April 2009 2 Years of Annual Testing completed 2009/10 and 2010/11 Fitness Policy and Risk Assessment reviewed in March 2010.

3. What we used to do Typical Annual Results were 99% pass rate, 77% achieved a good or excellent rating and only 1% failure rate. 99% 77% 99% 77% 1% 1%

4. The Current Standard The Fitness Policy was reviewed and updated in Jan 2008 to include the following standard which has no been effective for 2 years: • Score of 42mls 02/kg/min-1 • Pass annual fitness test • Score below 42mls 02/kg/min-1 but above 35mls 02/kg/min-1 • Stay on the run • Given exercise program – re-tested every 6 weeks until reaching pass standard • Score below 35mls 02/kg/min-1 • Come off the run • Given exercise advice and program, tested every six weeks • Once back to 35mls 02/kg/min-1 go back on run • Continue to receive advice and testing until reaching 42mls 02/kg/min-1

5. April - July 2010 Fitness Testing Results 84.5% (374 of 445) operational personnel were tested. 94% (352 of 374) operational personnel achieved the 42mls 6% (22 of 374) operational personnel failed to achieve the 42mls 22 members of personnel on remedial programs* 3 members of personnel passed on initial retest after 4 weeks. 1 member of operational personnel taken off the run. *Currently we have 18 individuals on the run who are receiving remedial advice awaiting their retests and 1 member of personnel who is off the run and receiving remedial advice before returning to operational duties.

6. 2009/10 – 2010/11 Fitness Testing Results

7. The Benefits of Annual Fitness Testing • Improved the health of many operational personnel, leading to reductions in weight and blood pressure in 2010/11 from 2009/10. • Identified individuals with health risks early: • One fire fighter placed on modified duties for high blood pressure, currently being monitored • A Fire Fighter referred for medical tests due to suspected exercise induced asthma. • Other Operational personnel referred for soft tissue work due to underlying injuries discovered pre fitness testing. • Allows some one to one time with each member of personnel on an annual basis

8. Success Stories Case Study 1. • 56 year old Male Retained Fire Fighter • 1st Test in 2009 achieved only 6 minutes 12 seconds. • Taken off the run, retested every 6 weeks for improvement. • Continued Improvement over 13 month period • Can now pass the Chester Treadmill Walk Test. Case Study 2. • 49 year old Female Retained Fire Fighter • 1st Test in 2009 achieved only 7 minutes • Taken off the run and retested every 6 weeks for improvement • Continued improvement over 9 month period • Can now pass the Chester Treadmill Walk test

9. Not everyone is a success Case Study • 53 year old Male Crew Commander • Attained 10 minutes on first test. • Deteriorated over next two tests, given development plan as dropped below 10 minutes. • Issued verbal warning and written warning for failure to make improvements. • Finally passed 12 minutes. (process took 11 months) • Failed again this year. • In 2010/11 22 individuals have failed fitness tests, 17 of these individuals failed during 2009/10. In 2010/11, five individuals who passed first time in 2009/10 failed.

10. Expect the unexpected!! Case Study • 41 year old Female Retained Fire Fighter • Attained 10 minutes on first test in 2009, then subsequently deteriorated and placed on Modified Duties. • After 4 months of hard work she achieved the 12 minutes to pass. • Attending Annual Fitness test in 2010, she produced a Doctors note saying she couldn’t do the CTWT. • Administered the CST instead and she failed being removed from operational duties, • Produced another Doctors note 1 week later saying she could now do the CTWT, and she achieved 11 minutes to return to operational duties. • 2 months later achieved 12 minutes.

11. 2nd Year itch! • The Fire Service rumour mill • A Station Commander had a Heart Attack • Contacted by FBU asking to ban testing until further notice. • Individual had heart attack at home in kitchen smoking a cigarette. • Produced comprehensive Risk Assessment for fitness testing • Article in Siren magazine ‘Say No to VO2 max of 42’ • I was required to write a response to our FBU Branch to answer their concerns.

12. Around the Country! • Service 1. (1st year stats, with amnesty in place) • 634 operational personnel tested • 76% passed, 17% on remedial advice, 6% scored under 35mls. • Currently no removal from the run • Service 2 (Annual Results Apr 2009 – Mar 2010) • 599 Whole time personnel tested • 79.3% have 42mls or higher, 19.2% on remedial advice, 1.5% under 35mls • 402 Retained personnel tested • 70% passed, 29% on remedial advice, 1%under 35mls.

13. Conclusions • The Statistics are not as scary as you might think. • There has been a real cultural shift with regards to fitness testing • Individual Fire Fighters are more positive with regards to fitness testing and hence we have seen an improvement in overall fitness • Many have been motivated to work on their fitness far more than they ever have previously. • Now with a robust policy on fitness testing Ff’s actually see a consequence for those who don’t maintain a good standard of operational fitness and removal from the run has proved to be a large motivator. • As Fire and Rescue Services nationally we should do our best to work to the same standards. A standard is surely better than no standard. • Fitness and Health should continue to be promoted nationally in a positive manner to improve our personnel’s perceptions.

14. Any Questions ?