All Station/Brigade Reps - Briefing Note 02/10

Over the last few weeks RFU HQ has been receiving a number of queries relating to proposed changes to local fitness standards. It appears that the amendments stem from a report produced from a forum called the ‘FireFit Steering Group’. The group is made up of fitness practitioners (uniformed and non uniformed) and occupational health practitioners.

Unfortunately this group does not have any input from the representative bodies and has no remit to negotiate on behalf of employees contracted to the Grey Book, yet it would appear that a number of FRS in the UK are looking to implement some or all of the 12 recommendations produced by the group as published in a recent report.

The focal point of the recommendations is for there to be a national standard measurement of fitness whereby the minimum level is 42 VO2max, irrespective of age, sex and role within the Service. This means that everyone will be expected to achieve the same standard even though the VO2max automatically decreases with age (on average females decreases quicker) and because of differences in body size, composition, blood volume and hemoglobin content, a female’s VO2max is generally about 20% lower than a man's VO2max.

How did we get to this position?

Background
A paper was submitted to the Practitioners’ Forum (advisory group to the Fire Minister) on 28 October 2008 by CFO Prichard, East Sussex FRS on behalf the Chief Fire Officers Association (CFOA) asking for the Forum to endorse the recommendations to be used nationally as best practice.

However, concerns were raised that insufficient consultation with stakeholders had taken place and that some issues within the report impacted on terms and conditions and as such are outside the remit of Practitioners' Forum.

It was agreed that the report will be shared with the National Health & Safety Group (NHSG) for a broader consideration to be given to the peripheral issues it raises and that a further report will be brought back to the next Forum meeting.

At a meeting of the NHSG (19 March 2009) the same document was circulated seeking stakeholders’ views in good time to report back to the next PF meeting on 21st May 2009.

The Chair of the NHSG, CFO Smitherman, (South Yorkshire & CFOA), summarised the Group’s discussion by stating parity around fitness levels are to be established. Information will then be circulated, discussions held outside the meeting and views fed back to the Group.

Within the Practitioners’ Forum meeting (21st May 2009), it was stated that the NHSG are currently seeking stakeholders’ views on the national fitness standards document as there is concern that has been raised that wide consultation has not taken place.

Feedback regarding the views of NHSG stakeholders on the possible implications of new standards will be brought back to the next Practitioners’ Forum meeting.

The NHSG meeting took place on 25 June 2009 where CFO Smitherman advised that, despite a limited response from Group members, a report was submitted to the Practitioners’ Forum on 21st May.

July 2009 - FireFit conference takes place where the ‘Fitness for Fire & Rescue Standards, Protocol and Policy’ report is launched and deemed a good practice document. The document includes the recommendation of a minimum fitness standard of 42 VO2max.

The NHSG meeting took place on 24 September 2009 where it was advised that the recommendations had been discussed at the Practitioners’ Forum and two concerns had been raised around the national fitness standard issue. The first concern is around the robustness of data, and the second is the need to focus on looking more widely at packages put in place for Occupational Health initiatives, to ensure the right level of fitness amongst crews.

A question was raised regarding the number of FRS’s currently adopting the national fitness standard. The group was asked to obtain this data and bring back to the next meeting in December.

Following the next NHSG meeting on 1st December 2009, the group was advised that a FINDS enquiry would be sent out shortly to ascertain which Brigades use VO maximum standards as part of their fitness testing.

The agenda of the NHSG meeting on 18th March 2010 did not contain any item relating to fitness standards.

Our position
The RFU promotes the need for a national fitness standard across the FRS, but the standard must be based on clear evidence and data, involve all relevant stakeholders, is relative, non-discriminatory and is ‘fit-for-purpose’.

The current situation gives rise to recommendations being made by people who do not represent the employees of which the decisions being made have a massive impact. The recommendations do not take account of the resources available within local FRS, the financial climate or the logistics of accessing fitness equipment for those working the RDS compared to the WDS.

The RFU has submitted a paper to the Practitioners’ Forum (available here) for discussion during the meeting on 27 April 2010. We will provide you with further information following this meeting.

In the meantime we request that you provide RFU HQ with an update of the current situation locally via your county committees?

John Barton
General Secretary