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Work Capacity Test Administrator's Guide
The employee will work with fire program managers to determine appropriate firefighting duties, considering factors such as training, medical condition, current level of activity, and willingness to achieve and maintain the level of fitness required. Targeted duties must be consistent with these considerations, and should be discussed annually before training for the test. The duties determine which of the three tests an employee must pass.
Work capacity tests are generally effective for 1 year after the date the employee passed the test (consult hiring agency for exceptions).
All persons who require a work capacity test must be informed of the requirements in a timely manner that allows time for health screening, medical clearance, and training. Each current and prospective employee will complete a health screening questionnaire (or medical history). Individuals who require further medical evaluation will be provided necessary information and directions.
When emergency hiring practices require rapid callup of firefighters, health-risk screening and/or medical clearance must be completed before participants take the work capacity test. Under these circumstances, it is extremely important that participants receive warning concerning the risks of exertion after inactivity.
Individuals are responsible for their physical condition and their health. No amount of health screening or medical examination can ensure an individual’s safety during a work capacity test or during fire duties. Individuals who are uncertain about the condition of their health, have been inactive, or are seriously under or overweight, should consult their personal physician before beginning training, taking a work capacity test, or engaging in wildland firefighting duties.
Except in emergency hire situations, those who do not pass a test will be provided another opportunity to take the work capacity test. In general, employees will have to wait at least 48 hours before retaking the work capacity test. If an employee sustains an injury (verified by a licensed medical provider) during a test, the test will not count as an attempt. Once an injured employee has been released for full duty, the employee will be given time to prepare for the test (not to exceed 4 weeks). The number of retesting opportunities that will be allowed include:
Three opportunities for permanent employees required to pass a test for duties in the fire program.
One opportunity for temporary employees required to pass a test (a second chance may be provided at the discretion of fire management).
Permanent and temporary employees who do not perform fire assignments as a recurring part of their position, but who are authorized to perform fire assignments, may be retested as many times as management deems appropriate. Consult agency-specific guidelines for retesting policies.
A health screening questionnaire (or a medical history) is used for self-screening of current and prospective employees involved in the fire program. The questionnaire and medical history contain confidential information and must be handled accordingly. The forms will be reviewed according to your agency’s policies and filed in your confidential medical folder in your agency’s human resources office. Follow agency policy for handling these forms.
Medical Examination—When a medical examination is called for, the agency will provide instructions to the examining physician. The agency will pay for the examination specified in the instructions. When the physician cannot clear an individual for testing and field work, the individual has the right to seek an outside medical opinion that might clarify a medical condition. The individual may also seek a waiver or an accommodation. The agency’s human resource office will determine the process that must be followed in such cases.
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