FireFit Steering Group

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 2011
Burleigh Court Conference Centre, Loughbourough.

28th & 29th Sept 2011

Survey Results
During the 2011 Annual Conference delegates were all asked to complete a short survey on fitness within their own organisations. You can download the results here.

How old can a firefighter be?
Effects of ageing on physical performance and consequences for (early) retirement

Eric Mol
Consultant
www.ixer.nl
Innovation Experts for Emergency Responders

Firefighter Fitness
Legal Considerations from an Employment and Health and Safety Perspective

Chris Green
Partner
www.weightmans.com/
Weightmans

Cardiac Risk and Firefighting: What to look out for!

Dr James Bilzon
Head of Department for Health
University of Bath

Assessing the Risks Associated with Fitness Testing
What is an Appropriate Pre-Exercise Risk Assessment?

Dr John Buckley PhD FBASES
Senior Lecturer, University of Chester.
President of the British Association for Cardiovascular Prevention & Rehabilitation

Medical Contraindications to Fitness Testing
The Physician - Fitness Interface

Dr Ian Griffith MFOM MRCP BSc (Hons).
Occupational Physician, Nottinghamshire FRS.

FireFit Research Project.
An update on what’s happening with the Fitness Standards Project

Phil Turner Msc.
Firefighter. Lancashire FRS & FireFit Steering Group.

The complexity of “simple” cases
Is fit for work fit for testing

Dr Sean Chambers.
The Occupational Health Company & FireFit Steering Group

Does aerobic fitness (VO2max) affect the performance of a fire-fighter during realistic hot fire training (RHFT)?
(click on the .wmv icon to download the supporting research video footage).

Graham Rothwell
Retired GMFRS & FireFit Steering Group.

FireFit Annual Conference 2010
Hertfordshire FRS, de Havilland Conference Centre, Hatfield.

8th & 9th Sept 2010

Functional Physical Competence Testing – The Challenges.

John Henderson
Director of Physical & Health Education
Occupational Health & Well-being
Northern Ireland Police Service

FireFit Conference - Hertfordshire 2010; Implementing the Standard in Bedfordshire - One Year on!!

Ian Hammett,
Luton & Bedfordshire FRS,
FireFit Steering Group

FireFit Conference - Hertfordshire 2010; Tackling Obesity.

Annie Hill,
Head of Personnel and Learning and Development,
Grampian FRS.

FireFit Conference - Hertfordshire 2010; Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation in the Army.

Sgt (SI) Gibbs
Army Physical Training Corp.

FireFit Conference - Hertfordshire 2010; FireFit Update on Fitness Standards and Research.

Richard Stevenson,
Senior Health & Fitness Advisor, South Wales FRS,
Deputy Chair, FireFit Steering Group

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."

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