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Having completed a PhD in Sports and Exercise Science, Dr Liam Noll has brought guidance into Essex County Fire and Rescue Service to introduce a first of its kind support system that can be adopted by fire services nationally.
Liam’s work to implement the Fit for Duty screening tool marks a significant milestone in his field and will positively impact firefighters by assessing readiness to return to operational duties following musculoskeletal injury.
Previously, there was no guidance and research for firefighters returning to work post injury, so Liam embarked on a four-year PhD in Sports and Exercise Science to see how he could best support his colleagues.
Studying alongside his busy day job during a global pandemic, Liam worked tirelessly to complete his PhD which has seen him introduce in a first of its kind Fit for Duty screening tool which is now part of ECFRS Attendance Policy.
“Since the research has finished, we now have research backed guidance on how we should assess firefighters following an injury and as such, we have now implemented the Fit for Duty screening tool within ECFRS’ return to work policy and we are currently in the process of using that.
“The reason for the screening tool is to assess a firefighters ability to meet the minimum physical requirements of their role. Previous research has indicated that returning to work without being able to meet these physical requirements increases the risk of re-injury.
“By implementing this screening tool, we now have a method to assess a firefighters physical readiness to return to operational duties in a safer way, with the aim of reducing re-injury rates and sickness across UK fire and rescue services.”
Dr Liam Noll.
With agreement from fitness advisors, occupational health doctors, operational trainers and firefighters from services across the UK, Liam created the Fit for Duty screening tool which will begin with an aerobic fitness test.
The Fit for Duty screening tool can help in assessing a firefighter’s readiness to return to operational duties following musculoskeletal injury.
A firefighter is required to achieve a VO2 max level of 42.3ml/kg/min or higher before returning to operational duties, in accordance with national guidance for firefighter fitness.
The Fit for Duty screening tool tasks include:
- putting on and removing a Breathing Apparatus set
- a ladder lift simulation
- a ladder carry simulation (using a dumbbell)
- a light portable pump carry simulation (using a barbell or dumbbells)
- a hose run and carry
- a casualty evacuation with a 55kg dummy
- a ladder climb with leg lock
Tasks can be completed in any order and will be carried out under the supervision of a Fitness Advisor. It is suggested that firefighters pass all tasks before being permitted to return to operational duties.
Through Liam’s research, Essex County Fire and Rescue Service is the first fire service in the UK to start using the Fit for Duty screening tool. Liam has been asked to present at the Fire Chiefs Council’s FireFit conference in November to show how his policy could benefit fire services nationally.
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