Each year, Springfield Firefighters must perform a physical agility test (PAT) to ensure they can still meet the physical requirements of the job. This year, instead of solely focusing on whether they can meet the requirements of the job description by doing basic tasks, they will be evaluated on how well and safely they move during those firefighting activities.
Battalion Chief Alex Clark explains. "A fitness test can focus on how many push-ups someone can do," he said. "But simply doing a lot of push-ups isn't sufficient if the person isn't doing it safely. For example, if they have no core control, their back is rounded, or they rotate their shoulder, this increases the risk for a shoulder injury. Our new testing process will not only look at how many repetitions or the duration, but will focus on how a firefighter does the tasks with strength and control. Having their shoulders back and down in a safe secure position to perform."
Tasks will still need to be completed within a certain amount of time, but peer fitness trainers (PFTs) are now looking for how the tasks are performed in a normal practice movement, followed by the same task performed under stress and load in the timed event. "This gives PFTs insight into if they move well normally, but don't have the strength to maintain that," said Clark. "Bottom line, we want personnel to move well and properly to reduce the chance for injuries."
Battalion Chief Alex Clark explains. "A fitness test can focus on how many push-ups someone can do," he said. "But simply doing a lot of push-ups isn't sufficient if the person isn't doing it safely. For example, if they have no core control, their back is rounded, or they rotate their shoulder, this increases the risk for a shoulder injury. Our new testing process will not only look at how many repetitions or the duration, but will focus on how a firefighter does the tasks with strength and control. Having their shoulders back and down in a safe secure position to perform."
Tasks will still need to be completed within a certain amount of time, but peer fitness trainers (PFTs) are now looking for how the tasks are performed in a normal practice movement, followed by the same task performed under stress and load in the timed event. "This gives PFTs insight into if they move well normally, but don't have the strength to maintain that," said Clark. "Bottom line, we want personnel to move well and properly to reduce the chance for injuries."
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