Physical Fitness Policy - Chesapeake Fire Department PDF

Policy 1022 Chesapeake Fire Department Policy Manual Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/04/01, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department Physical Fitness - 1 Physical Fitness 1022.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE The purpose of this policy is to provide firefighters wit...

Policy 1022 Chesapeake Fire Department Policy Manual Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/04/01, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department Physical Fitness - 1 Physical Fitness 1022.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE The purpose of this policy is to provide firefighters with on-duty physical fitness guidelines. The Department provides on-duty time for firefighter physical fitness to assist personnel in achieving and maintaining optimal health and physical fitness. 1022.2 POLICY It is the policy of the Chesapeake Fire Department to establish guidelines for physical fitness activities that are designed to prevent injuries while maintaining fitness. The ultimate goals of this policy are to: • Meet the physical demands required on emergency responses. • Reduce the risk of member injury or illness. • Enhance the overall health, fitness and safety of members. Physical fitness activities should not interfere with primary job duties (e.g., emergency responses, public education, training activities, other legal responsibilities), nor should physical fitness activities delay an emergency response in any way. The Department retains the right to prohibit any physical fitness activity which, in its sole discretion, presents greater risks than benefits. All members participating in the Physical Fitness Program will be covered by the City's Workers Compensation Program. 1022.3 PROCEDURE The time, location and duration of company physical fitness activities are at the discretion of the on-duty Battalion Chief and the Company Officer. In all cases, the location for physical fitness must be within the company’s first-in response area or approved arrangements for coverage, be consistent with this policy and not result in a response delay. All Fire Operations members shall participate in physical fitness activities during the course of their shift. Members working overtime who choose not to participate in physical fitness activities shall conduct duties as assigned by the Company Officer during the designated physical fitness period. Members who have provided the Department with written physical restrictions from a qualified health care provider shall not participate in any physical activity that conflicts with the restriction. Physical fitness equipment is available for the use of members at fire stations with adequate space. Members assigned to these stations should utilize the fitness equipment for their on-duty physical fitness activities. Chesapeake Fire Department Policy Manual Physical Fitness Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/04/01, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department Physical Fitness - 2 1022.4 PHYSICAL FITNESS GUIDELINES Physical fitness and conditioning activities should be designed to maintain or improve flexibility, muscular strength, endurance and anaerobic and aerobic capacity. They should also correspond to the physical movement patterns required in the performance of firefighter duties. Activities may include, but are not limited to: (a) Stretching. (b) Running, jogging, walking or rowing. (c) Weight training (with spotter present). (d) Stationary aerobic training (e.g., stair-climber, treadmill, stationary bicycle). (e) Core strengthening. (f) Firefighter-specific activities (e.g., hose drag, simulated ventilation, dummy drag). (g) Physical fitness activities as recommended by the DepartmentPhysical Fitness Program and/or peer fitness trainers (PFTs). Member participation in competitive or contact sports is not recommended while on-duty. 1022.5 INJURY PREVENTION (a) When participating in approved on-duty physical fitness activities, reasonable precautions should be taken to avoid injury. Common reasons for injuries sustained during physical activity include, but are not limited to: 1. Insufficient warm-up. 2. Poor core stabilization. 3. Exceeding physical capabilities. 4. Improper equipment use. 5. Defective equipment. 6. Lack of proper instruction. (b) Members who are participating in physical fitness activities are expected to: 1. Allow sufficient time to warm up muscles prior to engaging in exercise for optimum performance and to reduce the risk of injury. 2. Develop sufficient trunk muscle strength to keep the spine and body stable in order to remain strong and balanced. 3. Maintain realistic goals and limits for physical fitness routines. 4. Develop an understanding of how to use fitness equipment properly and safely. Chesapeake Fire Department Policy Manual Physical Fitness Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/04/01, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department Physical Fitness - 3 5. Check equipment prior to use to ensure safe operation, report defective or broken equipment to the safety officer as soon as practicable and disable equipment to prevent others from using it, if necessary. 6. Develop and maintain sufficient fitness training knowledge, accounting for fitness level, age and previous injuries or limitations, to avoid fitness-related injuries.