The Annual FireFit Conference -
Speaker presentations library.

The Annual FireFit Conference attracts key note speakers from around the world, their knowledge, expertise and enthusiasm for change can now be accessed by down loading their presentations below......



FireFit Annual Conference 2009
Radisson SAS Hotel, Durham.

6th & 7th July 2009

FireFit Conference - Durham 2009; Fitness in the Fire Service - Fitness Tests and the Future. Kevin Sykes, Professor of Occupational Health & Fitness Director, Centre for Exercise & Nutrition Science, University of Chester. Chester Treadmill Test (CTT) This test has two modes: 1. CTT Performance 2. CTT Prediction (of aerobic capacity)

FireFit Conference - Durham 2009; Psychological Growth Following Adversity in Firefighters. John Durkin, Centre for Trauma Resilience Growth, School of Sociology and Social Policy, Nottingham University. Growth following adversity; - Growth is related to psychological well-being (PWB), not subjective well being (SWB). - Growth is a eudaimonic process, rather than a hedonic one. - The medical model may be inadequate in accounting for growth following adversity.

FireFit Conference - Durham 2009; The Medical Management of Obesity. Nerys Williams, Consultant Occupational Physician. How obesity occurs; - Daily excess calorie intake over energy usage. - Only needs daily excess of 130 calories to lead to gain of 1 stone (6.5kgs) per year - Background of weight gain every decade, peak increase in weight 30-50 years.

FireFit Conference - Durham 2009; Show Racism the Red Card. Conrad. The campaign began in 1996 with the aim of using professional footballers as anti-racist role models from accross the sporting and entertainment world.

FireFit Conference - Durham 2009; Falcons Community Foundation - Working in Partnership. Newcastle Falcons. State of the art classroom at Kingston Park Stadium, fitted out with 30 PCs & interactive whiteboard was officially opened by HRH Princess Anne this year.

FireFit Conference - Durham 2009; Physiological Benefits of Laughter, Humour & Personal Growth. Stephanie Davies, Creative Director, Laughology. A model for living A flexible approach that brings about fast, positive change in individuals and organisations - empowering them to adapt to an ever-changing world.

FireFit Conference - Durham 2009; Update on National Aerobic Fitness Standards. Richard Stevenson, Service Fitness Advisor, South Wales Fire & Rescue Service. FireFit Steering Group; Aims; - Fitness standard. - Cost effective solutions to fitness testing. - Evidence based solutions

FireFit Conference - Durham 2009; Key summary findings of FRS fitness policies and practices survey. Paul Wisher, Service Fitness Advisor, Essex Fire & Rescue Service. FireFit Steering Group Questionair Results; - Questionnaire sent to 62 CFOs UK & Channel Islands in March 2009 - 43 Responses (69%) received between April – June 2009 - 19 did not respond

FireFit Conference - Durham 2009; Implementing the Standard in Bedfordshire. Ian Hammett, Service Fitness Advisor, Bedfordshire and Luton Fire & Rescue Service. April - July 2009 Fitness Testing Results - 90% (413 of 455) operational personnel were tested. - 92% (379 of 413) operational personnel achieved the 42mls. - 8% (34 of 413) operational personnel failed to achieve the 42mls.

FireFit Conference - Durham 2009; Simplifying mixed messages Albert Potts, School of Applied Social Sciences, Durham University. - nutritional ‘features’ have become a key feature in the popular press - focus can be on both health or performance - whilst optimal advice may need to be specific to the needs of the individual .....

FireFit Annual Conference 2008
Liverpool Marriot South Hotel, Merseyside.

1st & 2nd September 2008

FireFit Conference - Merseyside 2008; Delivering through FireFit - a strategic overview. Des Prichard, Human Resource Director, Chief Fire Officers Association. "FireFit play a key role in offering expert advice and guidance on such issues to CFOA and the wider Fire Community. CFOA in turn will continue to influence national stakeholders and drive important debate leading to: - Positive change and development/publishing of good practice - Effective networking and cross fertilisation - The improvement of fitness and wellbeing of staff - The removal of artificial barriers to recruitment and retention"

FireFit Conference - Merseyside 2008; Medical Fitness for Work in UK Fire Services. Dr Tok Hussain Consultant Occupational Physician – Healthwork Ltd ALAMA Fire Services Representative. "Influences; - DDA 1995 (as amended 2005) - Fire Service Act 1947 replaced by Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 - 2004 DCLG ‘Medical and Occupational Evidence for Recruitment and Retention in the FRS’ - Evolving consensus based standards – ALAMA - Equal ops and employment rights."

FireFit Conference - Merseyside 2008; Alcohol and the workplace. Keith Gorman, Programme Manager. Health@Work, Liverpool. "Employer responses; - 28% companies have been negatively affected by alcohol - 1/3 negatively affected by employee drinking outside of work - Over half employers thought alcohol contributed to sickness absence - Several employers had dealt with alcohol related problems with employees."

FireFit Conference - Merseyside 2008; Physiology of Ageing - and possible effects on firefighters. Kevin Sykes, Professor of Occupational Health & Fitness Director, Centre for Exercise & Nutrition Science, University of Chester. "Ageing & Flexibility; - Decrease in passive and active range of movement - Shortened muscles - Weaker ligaments, tendons, joint capsule - Increased likelihood of injury - Decrease in kinaesthetic awareness."

FireFit Conference - Merseyside 2008; Physical Fitness in the Fire Service . Kevin Sykes, Professor of Occupational Health & Fitness Director, Centre for Exercise & Nutrition Science, University of Chester. "Fitness for Fire fighting; - Aerobic Endurance – exercise for prolonged periods at moderate/high intensity (e.g. running out numerous hoses) - Strength – lifting & shifting heavy objects over short distances/time periods (e.g. lifting 1.35m ladder onto appliance)."

FireFit Conference - Merseyside 2008; Pilot Project Psychological Support. Clare Boyes, Operations Manager, Harcombe House, Fire Fighters Charity. "Individual Therapies; - Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) - Phobia programme - Eye Movement Desensitisation & Reprocessing (EMDR) - Neuro- Linguistic Programming (NLP) - Integrative psychotherapy - Person centred counselling."

FireFit Conference - Merseyside 2008; Laughology - A model for living. Stephanie Davies, "A model for living; A flexible approach that brings about fast, positive change in individuals and organisations - empowering them to adapt to an ever-changing world."

FireFit Conference - Merseyside 2008; Working with the NHS to improve health. Dr Janet Atherton Director of Public Health, Sefton Council and Primary Care Trust. "Partnership with Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service; - Recognising we have shared goals   - Tackling health inequalities - Identifying goals we can’t achieve on our own or are better delivered in partnership - Resources each partner can bring to bear."

FireFit Conference - Merseyside 2008; Evaluation of ergonomic intervention for reducing the physiological stress in firefighters . David Barr MSc, Professor Thomas Reilly, Dr Warren Gregson. Research Institute of Sports & Exercise Sciences. Liverpool JMU. "Three factors combine to impose severe cardiovascular and thermoregulatory strain on a firefighter; - Physical demands - Protective clothing - Environmental conditions."

FireFit Annual Conference 2007
Burleigh Court Conference Centre, Loughborough.

Thursday 5th July 2007.




Do not forget to register for the new Official Forum!!

FireFit Conference - Burleigh Court 2007; Delivering Operational Fitness Within The Fire Service. Des Pritchards, Human Resource Director, Chief Fire Officers Association. "Operational Fitness - Overview; What is the role of FireFit? Promote and communicate the fitness and health agenda within the Fire and Rescue Service in an effort to maximise the wellbeing and efficiency of the Service. "

FireFit Conference - Burleigh Court 2007; National Fire Fighter Selection process. Sue Evans, National Assessment Unit. "The National Assessment Unit has been established to develop, deliver and maintain the necessary evaluation and review, validation and quality assurance processes for assessment of National Firefighter Selection implementation across the Fire and Rescue Service."

FireFit Conference - Burleigh Court 2007; Fitness for fire and Rescue. Standards, protocol and policy. Richard D.M. Stevenson, Paul Wilsher, FireFit Steering Group. "Recommendations; The recommended National standard of aerobic fitnes is 42 mlsO2/kg/min and applicable to all fire fighters irrospective of age, gender or duty system."

FireFit Conference - Burleigh Court 2007; The Cumbria Experience, A Fitness Policy That Works for us. Sharon McAdam, Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service. "Conclusion; Top level management support, Robust dynamic scheme, Timetable of actions – health and fitness, Protocol for capability, Support of FBU and staff, Committed and dedicated team of PTA’s led by Coordinators, Recognised by RoSPA & HMI."

FireFit Conference - Burleigh Court 2007; Fitness testing in the UK Fire and Rescue Service. Professor Kevin Sykes, Centre for Exercise and Nutrition Science University of Chester. "VO2max expressed in l/min or in relation to body weight (mlsO2/kg/min) both important since a fire fighter must be able to carry own body weight as well as external loads."

FireFit Conference - Burleigh Court 2007; The Health Effects of Shiftwork. Jim Waterhouse. "All reviews of shiftwork acknowledge the importance of 24-h cover in the emergency services. Very little work has been done on fire fighters or emergency situations in general. Even so, we can use results from other sources to “guesstimate” the potential difficulties and to maximise the fire fighter’s quality of life."

FireFit Annual Conference 2006.
Royal Marriot Hotel Bristol, hosted by Avon Fire Service.

Dr Mark Rayson engages a captive audience at last years FireFit Conference in Bristol.

FireFit Conference - Bristol 2006; Changing Behaviour. Dr Melvyn Hillsdon, University of Bristol. "At the outset of a programme get clients to systematically go through the anticipated pros and cons of exercise for them. This should preferably be done verbally. Adopt a client centred interpersonal style during the initial consultation. Make sure that clients have realistic expectations about the changes they can expect and how long such changes take to achieve."   FireFit Conference - Bristol 2006; Health and Work - Looking to the future. Dr Bill Gunnyeon, Director - Health, Work and Wellbeing, Department for Works and Pensions. "Our Vision; To have created an environment where the health and wellbeing of those in work and all those who wish to work is actively promoted, supported and valued."   FireFit Conference - Bristol 2006; The Role of Sports Massage in Injury Prevention and Absence Management. Ben Scott, The Sports Massage Association. "Early medical intervention will significantly speed up recovery and reduce absence due to sickness and ill-health (Worcester NHS Trust). Reducing absence is not just about policies and procedures. It is about skills and roles. Sports Massage can provide necessary skills and play an important role."   FireFit Conference - Bristol 2006; Director of HSE Public Services Programme. Peter Brown, Director of HSE Public Services Programme. "Ministerial Task Force on Health Safety and Productivity; Aims to improve sickness absence management across the public sector. Is in line with Chancellor of the Exchequer’s drive for improving public sector efficiency. DCLG promotes and reports on progress in the F&RS."   FireFit Conference - Bristol 2006; Occupational Health Contract. Jackie Sullivan, Specialist Nurse Practitioner in Occupational Health. "Pre-employment health screen/medical are carried out on all new employees. Three yearly health screen on all Fire fighters. Voluntary health screen on all non-uniformed/ MACC staff, three yearly. Health Advice Clinic 1 to 1 sessions on health issues i.e smoking cessation, cholesterol & B/P checks."   FireFit Conference - Bristol 2006; Absence and Attendance Policy. Paul Blanchard-Flett, Occupational Health Manager, Merseyside FRS. "To promote positive attitude towards good attendance. To set out the extensive support that the Service as a caring employer are providing to employees.To recognise and incentivise attendance at work." FireFit Annual Conference 2005. Dundee, hosted by Tayside Fire Brigade.   FireFit Conference - Dundee 2005; Choosing Health. 'Choosing Activity - A Physical Activity Action' Plan Jackie Meekison, Senior Occupational Fitness Advisor Lothian & Borders Fire & Rescue Service. "It is the beginning of a journey to build health into government policy and ensure that health is everyone’s business. We have set ambitious targets for health. The government is serious about ensuring that these commitments are met and that this time we get sustained and focused action to improve people’s health."   FireFit Conference - Dundee 2005; Nutrition. 'Organisational benefit through nutrition'. Christopher Speed, MND APD Dana Farber Cancer Institute. "Fiber; Nurses’ Health Study (n=75,521 women) highest quintile whole grain consumption 25% reduction in CHD 30% reduction in ischemic stroke 40% reduction in diabetes."   FireFit Conference - Dundee 2005; Firefighters and the DDA – What does it mean for The Fire and Rescue Service? Michelle Valentine, Practice Development Officer Disability Rights Commision. "Managers of the Pension Scheme and Fire Service managers need to fully understand the DDA and the duties it imposes upon them (refer to Section 10 of the DRC’s Statutory Code of Practice on Employment and Occupation)."   FireFit Conference - Dundee 2005; Musculoskeletal Disorders Management and Prevention. Damon Peterson BSc (Hons) Ost Med Osteopaths For Industry Ltd 20:49 05/05/2006 "Musculoskeletal disorders in the workplace. Where do the problems exist? Manual Handling, Display Screen Equipment, Upper Limb Disorders."   FireFit Conference - Dundee 2005; Obesity – a man’s problem? Dr Ian W Campbell General Practitioner and Assoc. Specialist, UHN National Obesity Forum "Workplaces and Inactivity, The Past 50 years - shift from manual to sedentary employment."   FireFit Conference - Dundee 2005; Return to Work Rehabilitation Fit Mind, Fit Body, Fit Fire Service? Clare Evans, RehabWorks Ltd, Fitness for Work and Life. "How rehabilitation works in the workplace National response and current evidence based guidelines - Hierarchy of risk control: - Primary prevention - Secondary treatment - Tertiary intervention (rehabilitation)."   FireFit Conference - Dundee 2005; Workplace Stress Management. Do not be afraid... Rachel E. Mulholland, Chartered Occupational Psychologist "Stress - ‘main psychosocial work hazard’ ‘… the adverse reaction that people have to excessive pressures or other types of demand placed upon them, it arises when they feel they cannot cope."