Local Firefighters Lead Race towards National Fitness Levels

Bedfordshire and Luton Fire and Rescue Service (BLFRS) is leading the way in a national campaign to raise the levels of fitness of firefighters across the UK.

BLFRS Deputy Chief Fire Officer Graeme Smith is Chairman of FireFit, a national organisation which has created a new fitness standard for all operational firefighters.

‘There has not been a standard fitness test for entrants for years, nor have there been any progression tests for those in service. FireFit wants to change all that,’ explained DCFO Smith from the Headquarters of Bedfordshire and Luton Fire and Rescue Service in Kempston.

‘FireFit has made possible what the Government alone and individual brigades have been unable to do, which is bring together a cohesive and workable policy and best practice. By bringing together the Chief Fire Officers Association (CFOA), Government officials and fitness experts, FireFit has drawn up a training programme for fire and rescues services across the country.’

BLFRS is a pioneer in its approach to health and fitness, by:

  • Employing a forward-thinking Fitness Advisor who is part of the Occupational Health Team - Pilates lessons were part of his plan

  • Financing medical assistance for firefighters with difficult to manage conditions like back injuries - and as a result has saved 100,000 + in sick days lost

  • Installing gyms on every station encouraging firefighters to keep in shape for the physical and mental demands of the job

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    (In fact these facilities are also open to non-operational staff who want to keep in shape after a day at a desk - see Wendy Luddick in photograph)

    If FireFit ideas are fully implemented firefighters will have a fitness MoT each year to make sure they are fit for duty and this will be a standard level whether they work in Bradford or Bedford.

    For more details on FireFit go to www.firefitsteeringgroup.co.uk

    The FireFit annual conference was staged in July in Loughborough and was attended by fire officers from England and Wales.

    Speakers included:

  • John Johnstone Communities and Local Government Department

  • Sue Evans Head of National Assessment Unit at Fire Service College

  • Sharon McAdam Head of Occupational Health of Cumbria FRS

  • Jim Waterhouse Prof of Chronobiology

  • Paul Wilsher Senior Fitness Advisor at Essex FRS

  • Richard Stevenson Senior Physical Training Advisor for South Wales FRS

  • Gary Bankhead Operations Project Manager for Durham & Darlington and has been involved in National Firefighter Selection Tests

  • Kevin Sykes Professor of Occupation Health & Fitness and Director of the International Postgraduate Centre for Exercise and Nutrition Science

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    The next Firefit conference will be in Liverpool 1 and 2 September 2008.

    Photo L - R: At Kempston Fire Station gym:  DCFO Graeme Smith, BLFRS Fitness specialist Ian Hammett, Bedford Green Watch Commander Ian McLaren and Wendy Luddick