The Cumbria Experience

1
The Cumbria Experience A Fitness Policy That
Works for us
2
The Logistics of Cumbria
3
Cumbria covers an area the size of

• Greater London
• Hertfordshire
• Bedfordshire
• Buckinghamshire
• Half of Oxfordshire
• Half of Berkshire
• Part of Hampshire
• 8 Part of Surrey
• Parts of Kent 10 Essex
• 11 Cambridgeshire

4
Occupational Health where we started

• Medical/ Admin Staff
• Fitness Screening
• Workload
• Non attendance at medicals
• High levels of sickness absence and ill health
  retirements

5
Reasons for Poor Fitness Levels within The
Service

• There were no agreed fitness standards
• No ongoing training for PTIs
• Ageing Workforce

6
How we changed our approach to fitness

• Consultation
• PTA
• Step test
• Education

7
A new five day in house course was introduced

• Course Contents
• Exercise physiology
• Cardiovascular and Aerobic exercise
• Different methods of Aerobic fitness testing
• Anaerobic exercise and weight training

• Learning styles and Coaching techniques
• Exercise equipment familiarisation
• Diet and nutrition
• Health and Safety legislation

8
The Role of the PTA

• Ambassador
• Assessing and monitoring fitness
• Advice and guidance
• Training
• Health and fitness promotion
• Equipment maintenance

9
The Coordinators Role

• Support PTAs
• Allocate Workload
• Liaise with Occupational Health and Training
  Depts
• Attend Steering Group Meetings
• Teach on PTA Training Courses
• Member of Fitness Working Group

10
Cumbria Requirements regarding Health Fitness

• All operational personnel will have a step test
  every 18 months
• A step test is valid for 6 months prior to your
  medical
• 45 is the minimum level required for entry
• There is a minimum fitness level all operational
  firefighters are expected to attain

11
(No Transcript)
12
PTA Support

• Annual Refresher Training
• Access to information via Intranet
• Books Lectures
• Health Fitness programmes
• Client contact schedule
• Policies procedures
• Forms
• Access to physiotherapist

13
Benefits of PTA Steering Group

• Channelled voice to management
• Steering Group comprises PTA Coordinators, Occ
  Health , Group Manager Training, Human Resources,
  Group Manager Operational Support
• Momentum for change
• Ongoing assessment of day to day problems

14
Improvements in Fitness

• Step test scores increased
• Minimum scores
• Maximum scores
• Average scores
• Number of people step tested increased

15
ILL Health Retirements
16
(No Transcript)
17
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 PTAsled by
  Coordinators
• Recognised by RoSPA HMI

18
(No Transcript)
19
Fire-Fighters and Heart Disease
Better image?

• Hamburg Fire Brigade Chemical Incident
• 27 year old male
• 75kg / 178cm
• Non - smoker
• 14 body fat
• Aerobic Capacity 53
• Water Loss in 50 mins 300gms

20
Fire-Fighters and Heart Disease

• Hamburg Fire Brigade Chemical Incident
• 24 year old male
• 90kg / 180cm
• Heavy Smoker
• 30 body Fat
• Aerobic Capacity 29
• Water loss in 50 minutes
• 900gm

21
(No Transcript)
22
(No Transcript)