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Chapter 6

Chapter 6. Developing Medical and Fitness Standards. 6- 1. Introduction. No aspect of a cultural change for safety is as daunting as implementing a national medical and physical fitness standard for the fire service Opinions of health and physical fitness vary widely

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Chapter 6

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  1. Chapter 6 Developing Medical and Fitness Standards 6-1

  2. Introduction • No aspect of a cultural change for safety is as daunting as implementing a national medical and physical fitness standard for the fire service • Opinions of health and physical fitness vary widely • This chapter will focus on what is being done to improve health and fitness • How our bodies use energy and react to firefighting 6-2

  3. Life Safety Initiative 6 Develop and implement national medical and physical fitness standards that are equally applicable to all firefighters, based on the duties they are expected to perform 6-3

  4. Life Safety Initiative 6 COMMON PUSH FOR HEALTH AND FITNESS • Unacceptable number of line-of-duty deaths every year • Movement to ensure health fitness • National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) • International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) • International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) Cont. 6-4

  5. Life Safety Initiative 6 COMMON PUSH FOR HEALTH AND FITNESS • Fire Service Joint Labor Management Wellness Fitness Initiative (WFI) • National Volunteer Fire Council • Firefighter statistics 6-5

  6. Life Safety Initiative 6 BODY METABOLISM • Oxygen • Overview • Insufficient oxygen means insufficient endurance • Respiratory and cardiovascular systems work hand in hand Cont. 6-6

  7. Life Safety Initiative 6 BODY METABOLISM • Oxygen • The pump • Overview • Throttle • Transfer • Discharge pressure (blood pressure) • Auxiliary cooler (sweating) Cont. 6-7

  8. Life Safety Initiative 6 BODY METABOLISM • Oxygen • The pipes • Size and number of discharges • Peripheral vascular resistance (PVR) • PVR compared to friction loss • Viscosity (elements of blood) Cont. 6-8

  9. Life Safety Initiative 6 BODY METABOLISM • Oxygen • Loading and unloading oxygen • Efficiency • Three components • Oxygen uptake • Metabolic equivalent (MET) Cont. 6-9

  10. Life Safety Initiative 6 BODY METABOLISM • Fuel • Adenosine-triphosphate (ATP) • Sources of ATP • Carbohydrates • Fat • Proteins • Creatine phosphate Cont. 6-10

  11. Life Safety Initiative 6 BODY METABOLISM • Aerobic versus anaerobic metabolism • Running, walking • Heavy resistance training • Effects on the body • Best workout regimen includes both types 6-11

  12. Life Safety Initiative 6 PHYSICAL AGILITY TESTING • Overview • Criterion Task Test (CTT) • Mimics actual fireground tasks • Dozens of agility tests across the country • Majority are under time constraints Cont. 6-12

  13. Life Safety Initiative 6 PHYSICAL AGILITY TESTING • Combat challenge • High-rise pack carry • Hose hoist • Forcible entry • Hose advance • Victim rescue Cont. 6-13

  14. Life Safety Initiative 6 PHYSICAL AGILITY TESTING • Candidate Physical Abilities Test (CPAT) • Most inclusive ability testing • Tasks expected at fire scene • Fit for duty versus wellness • NFPA 1583 • NFPA 1582 6-14

  15. Life Safety Initiative 6 MAINTENANCE VERSUS REPAIRS • Overview • Much invested in preventative maintenance (PM) • Reduce chances of catastrophic failure • Truck checks • Annual pump testing 6-15

  16. Life Safety Initiative 6 EFFICIENCY FACTORS OF FIREFIGHTING • Work rate • Pace affects overall performance • Energy usage outpaces work completed • Movement speed • Optimal speed for best results • Adrenaline makes overkill a possibility Cont. 6-16

  17. Life Safety Initiative 6 EFFICIENCY FACTORS OF FIREFIGHTING • Extrinsic factors • Muscle fiber composition • Fitness level • Body composition • Technique 6-17

  18. Summary • Physical and mental stresses of firefighting tax our bodies severely • Not uncommon for some emergency responders to exceed their physical limitations • Responders must prepare for the anticipated stresses well in advance of an emergency • Requires a personal accountability to safety • Includes continuous medical and physical maintenance followed by annual testing 6-18

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