FWFD SOP S 1001 R6: Readiness Standards

• This Standard Operating Procedure concerns administration and standards of readiness.
• It is titled S 1001 R6, effective November 1, 2023, and is reviewed annually.
• The purpose is to ensure that all Fort Worth Fire Department (FWFD) civil service personnel maintain a minimum fitness level in the Green category, based on annual physicals.

General Information

• Personnel must undergo an annual physical provided by the City of Fort Worth's contracted health and fitness provider.
• The annual medical evaluation, based on National Fire Protection Association 1582, includes a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) to evaluate physical fitness and aerobic capacity (VO2 Max).
• Personnel are assigned a fitness category based on CPET results, measuring aerobic capacity (VO2 Max) in mL/kg/min.
• There are three categories: Green, Yellow, and Red.
• Red is a VO2 Max under 20.
• Yellow is a VO2 Max of 20-24.99.
• Green is a VO2 Max of 25 and over.
• An "Up-slip" is a document from the Health and Fitness Provider which places employees in the Yellow Category, with the expectation of returning to Green within 30-90 days.
• A "Down-slip" is a similar document which places employees in the Red category, anticipating a longer rehabilitation period exceeding 90 days.
• 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.
• All personnel in this category will remain in their assigned position but will be required to participate in a fitness rehabilitation program and / or referral process.
• The fitness rehabilitation program and / or referral process includes meeting with the Athletic Trainer for a workout program and nutritional guide, monthly evaluations, and adhering to any timelines for improvement.
• Personnel in the Yellow category are limited to a specific number of days based on age:
• Group 1: 18-29 years, 30 days max.
• Group 2: 30-39 years, 60 days max.
• Group 3: 40-49 years, 90 days max.
• Group 4: 50-59 years, 120 days max.
• Group 5: 60 and over, 150 days max.
• Group 1 personnel are retested after 30 days.
• Groups 2-5 are tested at the midpoint and end of their maximum allowable days, or sooner if approved by the Athletic Trainer.
• Operations personnel who don't reach the Green category by the end of their time frame are moved to the Red category and assigned to a 40-hour workweek, are required to have supervised workouts, and are ineligible for Operations overtime.
• Non-Operations personnel in a similar situation will have schedules modified for supervised workouts and are not eligible for 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 1 year may lead to disciplinary action including a fitness-for-duty evaluation.
• Personnel scoring in the Red category are reported to the Occupational Safety and Health Officer and the coordinator for return to work programs.
• Operations personnel in the Red category:
• Will be removed from Operations and assigned to a 40-hour work week.
• Must join a fitness rehabilitation program, meeting with the Athletic Trainer for a workout program and nutrition guide, consisting of supervised workouts.
• Are not eligible to work Operations overtime.
• Participate in monthly evaluations by the Athletic Trainer and Occupational Safety and Health Officer.
• Adhere to the timeline of the Down-Slip, if received.
• Operations personnel will be retested every 30-45 days after entering the fitness rehabilitation program until they achieve Yellow category.
• Personnel can return to the Operations Division upon retesting with the Health and Fitness provider and scoring at minimum in the Yellow category, being subject to the guidelines of the Yellow category.
• Non-Operations personnel in the Red category participate in supervised workouts and adhere to measures outlined like meeting with the Athletic Trainer for a workout program and nutritional guide, consisting of supervised workouts and participating in a monthly evaluation, and adhering to the Down-Slip timeline.
• Personnel who fail to reach the Green category within one year of entering the program may be subject to disciplinary action, including a fitness-for-duty evaluation.
• Any personnel not reporting for the annual physical or bloodwork may be subject to disciplinary action.

Referral Procedures

• Referrals are given by the Health and Fitness provider for health-related issues, and personnel must comply.
• Reasons for referrals include:
• VO2 under 20 which constitutes a down-slip to the Red Category.
• An A1C over 8.0% constitutes a down-slip to the Red Category.
• A resting blood pressure over 160 Systolic or 100 Diastolic constitutes an Up-Slip to Yellow for 30 days with retesting if not controlled, they will drop down to Red category.
• Hematocrit over 53.0% constitutes an Up-Slip to Yellow for 30 days with retesting if not below 53.0% will drop down to Red category.
• Significant changes discovered will result in a 90-day yellow up-slip can lead to a down-slip to the red category.
• Non-compliance may lead to a down-slip to the Red category and be subject to disciplinary action.

Fort Worth Fire Department's SOP S 1001 R6, effective November 1, 2023, outlines the administration and standards of readiness. It ensures all civil service personnel maintain a minimum Green fitness level via annual physicals. Fitness categories (Green, Yellow, Red) are assigned based on cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) results and VO2 Max.