S1001 R6

• The Standard Operating Procedure (S 1001 R6) outlines the administration standards of readiness for the Fort Worth Fire Department (FWFD).
• This ensures that all FWFD civil service personnel maintain a minimum fitness level in the Green category, based on annual physicals.
• The document was effective November 1, 2023 and has an annual review cycle.

General Information

• Personnel must have an annual physical provided by the City of Fort Worth's contracted health and fitness provider.
• The annual medical evaluation aligns with the National Fire Protection Association 1582 Standard.
• The cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) is used to evaluate physical fitness and aerobic capacity (VO2 Max).
• Personnel are assigned a fitness category (Green, Yellow, Red) based on their CPET results, measured in mL/kg/min.
• Red category is a VO2 Max under 20.
• Yellow category is a VO2 Max between 20-24.99.
• Green category is a VO2 Max of 25 and over.
• An "Up-slip" document places an employee in the Yellow Category, expecting a return to Green within 30-90 days.
• A "Down-slip" document places an employee in the Red category, expecting a longer rehabilitation period beyond 90 days.

Instructions/Procedures

• Personnel in the Green category can work in the Operations Division without restrictions.
• Personnel in the Yellow category are reported to the Occupational Safety and Health Officer and the Return to Work Coordinator.
• Those in the Yellow category remain in their assigned position but must participate in fitness rehabilitation.
• The rehabilitation includes meeting with an Athletic Trainer for a workout program and nutritional guidance with monitored workouts.
• Rehabilitation includes monthly evaluations with the Occupational Safety and Health Officer and the Athletic Trainer.
• Rehabilitation includes adhering to the timeline of the Up-Slip, if received.
• Maximum days allowed in the Yellow category are based on age group:
  • 18-29 (Group 1): 30 days
  • 30-39 (Group 2): 60 days
  • 40-49 (Group 3): 90 days
  • 50-59 (Group 4): 120 days
  • 60 and over (Group 5): 150 days
• Personnel in Group 1 are retested at the 30-day mark, while Groups 2-5 are tested at the midpoint and end of their maximum allowable days.
• Operations personnel unable to reach the Green category by the deadline are placed in the Red category.
  • They are removed from Operations, assigned to a 40-hour workweek, and cannot work Operations overtime.
• Non-Operations personnel unable to reach the Green category by the deadline will have schedule modified to include supervised workouts and are ineligible to work Operations overtime.
• Personnel in the Red category are tested every 30-45 days until they reach the Green category.
• Failure to reach the Green category within one year may result in disciplinary action.

Red Category Procedures

• Personnel scoring in the Red category are reported to the Occupational Safety and Health Officer and the Return to Work Coordinator.
• Operations personnel in the Red category:
  • Are removed from Operations and assigned to a 40-hour work week.
  • Participate in fitness rehabilitation, including meeting with the Athletic Trainer for a workout program at the Fire Training Center or designated site.
  • Are Ineligible to work Operations overtime.
  • Participate in monthly evaluations.
  • Adhere to the timeline of the Down-Slip, if received.
• Operations personnel shall be retested every 30-45 days until they reach the Yellow category.
• Personnel may return to the Operations Division after retesting and scoring, at minimum, in the Yellow category and being subject to the guidelines of the Yellow category.
• Non-Operations personnel in the Red category will have their schedule modified to include supervised workouts:
  • Meet with the Athletic Trainer for a workout program at the Fire Training Center or designated site.
  • Are ineligible to work Operations overtime.
  • Participate in monthly evaluations.
  • Adhere to the timeline of the Down-Slip, if received.
• Operations personnel shall be retested every 30-45 days until they reach the Yellow category.
• Personnel may return to their regular assignment after retesting and scoring, at minimum, in the Yellow category and being subject to the guidelines of the Yellow category.
• Failure to reach the Green category within a year may result in disciplinary action.
• Personnel failing to report for an annual physical or bloodwork may face disciplinary action.

Referral Procedures

• Referrals are given by the Health and Fitness provider for health-related issues, and personnel must follow them.
• Conditions that require referrals:
  • VO2 Max under 20 results in a Down-slip (Red Category).
  • A1C over 8.0% results in a Down-Slip (Red Category).
  • Resting blood pressure over 160 Systolic or 100 Diastolic results in a 30-day Up-Slip (Yellow Category) with retesting and if blood pressure is not controlled they are placed in the Red Category.
  • Hematocrit over 53.0% results in a 30-day Up-slip (Yellow Category) with retesting and if the Hematocrit is not below 53.0% by the deadline they re placed in the Red Category.
  • Significant changes from last physical result in a 90-day Up-Slip (Yellow Category) or a Down-Slip (Red Category) if concerning enough. Firefighters who fail to appropriately address the issue will be placed into the Red category.
• Failure to comply with referral timelines results in being lowered to the Red Category.
• Failure to comply with referral timelines may result in disciplinary action.