Canadian Physical Performance Exchange Standard for
Type 1 Wildland Firefighters (WFX-FIT)

About WFX-FIT
 

Beginning in 2012, Ontario FireRangers are required to pass The Canadian Physical Performance Exchange Standard for Type 1 Wildland Fire Fighters (WFX-FIT) annually as part of their certification as a FireRanger. The Physical Readiness Evaluation for Initial Attack Forest Fire Fighters (PRE-FIT) will no longer be utilized for physical fitness evaluation. 

The WFX-FIT will be implemented by the CIFFC member agencies on April 1, 2012.

The Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC) and member agencies have developed a national Exchange Fitness Standard that enables CIFFC to safely exchange firefighters among fire agencies anywhere in Canada.

Type 1 Wildland Fire Fighters must be physically fit in order to fight wildland fires safely and effectively, as well as to avoid injuries and recover rapidly. In particular, they must have suitable levels of aerobic fitness, muscular strength and muscular endurance. WFX-FIT is a valid job-related physical performance standard used to determine whether an individual possesses the physical capabilities necessary to meet the rigorous demands encountered while fighting wildland fires.

WFX-FIT Test

WFX-FIT is completed as a timed circuit. All components must be tested together. Starting in 2012, Ontario FireRangers will be required to complete the circuit in 17 minutes and 15 seconds. In order to qualify for national export, Ontario FireRangers will be required to meet the national exchange standard of 14 minutes and 30 seconds.

There are five (5) components to the WFX-FIT: a screening component and four (4) performance components.

1.  Pre-Participation Screening
    (PAR-Q, PARmed-X+ (if required), Blood Pressure, Informed Consent and
     Release of Results and Photo Identification)
2.  Carry Medium Pump on Back
3.  Hand Carry Medium Pump
4.  Hose Pack Lift and Carry on Back
5.  Charged Hose Advance

WFX-FIT must be administered by individuals who have successfully completed the CIFFC WFX-FIT Trainer and/or Appraiser Course or successfully completed a WFX-FIT Appraiser Course delivered by a CIFFC certified WFX-FIT Trainer.

Ontario Firefighters requiring WFX-FIT testing are located across the province. The MNR will utilize the professional services of Certified Exercise Physiologists (CEP) to deliver WFX-FIT testing while recognizing MNR’s responsibility to:

• Ensure testing is delivered to standard through audits,
• Adhere to corporate policy on information access (e.g. copyright),
• Establish and maintain an effective WFX-FIT test record-keeping program,
• Accredit testing agencies

Pre-Exercise Clearance and Informed Consent

The participant can take part in the testing if:

The participant has signed an Informed Consent for WFX-FIT Testing and Release of Results

AND

He/she answers “no” to all seven PAR-Q+ questions or met the requirement of ePARmedX+

AND

His/her resting blood pressure is equal to or less than 144/90 mmHg.

PAR-Q+ and Resting Blood Pressure

PAR-Q+

A participant must complete the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire for Everyone (PAR-Q+). The PAR-Q+ identifies the presence of medical conditions that could pose a risk during exercise. Physical activity clearance by the PAR-Q+ is valid for a maximum of 12 months from the time it is completed and becomes invalid if participants condition changes.

Resting Blood Pressure

Before a participant can take part in the WFX-FIT testing, his/her Resting Blood Pressure (RBP) must be measured. The RBP must be equal to or less than 144/90 mmHg for a participant to take the test.

Medical Referral - ePARmed-X

Advanced Screening - ePARmed-X+ Online Survey & Medical Referral

If the participant answers “Yes” to any of the seven PAR-Q+ questions on page 1, they will be directed to pages 2 or 3 for more detailed questioning on their state of physical “readiness” to partake in physical activity. After completing the questions on page 2 or 3, the participant may be cleared to undertake physical activity and can take the WFX-FIT test, or they may be directed to undertake further detailed screening by completing the ePARmed-X+ Online Survey

Participants must complete the ePARmed-X+ Online Survey if:

• They are referred to the survey through completion of the PAR-Q+ form as indicated above, or
• The participant is pregnant.

Note - Paper copies and online version of the PAR-Q+ are available at the following link: http://parmedx.appspot.com/

PAR-Q+ Questionnaire

Consent to Participate

Before beginning the WFX-FIT Test, the participant must sign an Informed Consent for WFX-FIT Testing and Release of Results document which contains information about each of the WFX-FIT test components and which informs him/her about any risks associated with participation.

Pre-Screening Information for WFX-FIT

The required pre-screening components (PAR-Q+, Informed Consent for WFX-FIT and Release of Results, blood pressure, plus additional clearance documentation [if required]) must be done on the test day and documented on the WFX-FIT Recording form.

The WFX-FIT test participant must arrive at the test site with completed PAR-Q+ and Informed Consent for WFX-FIT and Release of Results documents. The resting blood pressure (pre-WFX- FIT) should be conducted on the test day. If there are no problems with the PAR-Q and Informed Consent for WFX-FIT and Release of Results documents and the resting blood pressure is less than 144/90 mmHg, the WFX-FIT Appraiser will fill in the appropriate sections on the Participant WFX-FIT Results Recording and Reporting form and conduct the test. If a review of the PAR-Q+ indicates that additional clearance is necessary or if the blood pressure exceeds the 144/90 mmHg, the WFX-FIT Appraiser will suspend the participant’s testing until the appropriate follow-up clearance procedures are completed and the participant’s is deemed eligible to take the test.

In the case of high blood pressure on a test day, the candidate will be referred to his/her physician. If the physician then clears the candidate, the candidate needs a brief note from the physician (typically written on a prescription pad) indicating that the candidate's blood pressure has been reviewed and he/she is cleared for heavy exercise. This note should be retained along with the PAR-Q+ and Informed Consent for WFX-FIT and Release of Results documents.

Alternatively, if a participant’s is aware from previous test situations that he/she has high blood pressure on test days (generally due to anxiety), the participant’s can arrive at the testing with a recent note from his/her physician indicating that the participant’s blood pressure has been reviewed and he/she is cleared for heavy exercise.

WFX-FIT Test Details

The test circuit incorporates four (4) components that are the most important, frequently occurring and physically demanding tasks identified for Type 1 Wildland Firefighters:

• Carrying a medium pump on the back;
• Carrying a medium pump in the hands;
• Lifting and carrying a WFX-FIT hose pack containing 4 lengths of hose; and
• Charged hose advance.

   

The WFX-FIT circuit is also based on the importance of working in various types of terrain as identified by the Type 1 firefighters. The circuit components are identical in all agencies because they simulate the physically demanding tasks all Type 1 firefighters face. The time it takes to complete the tasks simulates the increasing difficulty of working in challenging terrains such as mountains and muskeg.

The four (4) components of the circuit simulate the tasks carried out on a fire and the physical demands necessary to carry out the fire fighting tasks.

Throughout the WFX-FIT circuit, the participant wears work-out clothing, running shoes and a weighted belt which encumbers the participant with the weight of normal wildland fire line work wear.

1. The timed circuit involves 4 separate components performed in a continuous sequence over 40 m (131.2 ft) laps with cone markers at each 20 m (65.6 ft) end line. 
    
2. Timing of the circuit begins when the participant crosses the starting line while carrying the simulation pump (28.5 kg / 62.7 lb) from a 1m (3.3 ft) platform on their back. For safety purposes, the WFX-FIT Appraiser assists with the lifting and lowering of the medium pump onto and off the participant’s back. The simulation medium pump is carried on the back for a total of 160 m (524.9 ft) (4 laps over the 40 m; 131.2 ft. course) traversing a ramp (35 degree pitch, 1.22 m; 4 ft high) every 20 m (65.6 ft), then the simulation medium pump is returned to the platform.
    
3. Next, the participant picks up the simulation medium pump from the platform in his/her hands and carries it for 80 m (262.4 ft) (2 laps of the 40 m; 131.2 ft course) without traversing the ramp. 
    
4. The participant then places the simulation medium pump back onto the platform, picks up the WFX-FIT hose pack containing 4 lengths of hose (25kg; 55lb) from the ground and hoists it onto his/her back, then carries the hose pack 1 km (3281 ft) (25 laps of the 40 m; 131.2 ft course) traversing the ramp every 20 m (65.6 ft). 
    
5. In the final component of the circuit, the participant drags a weighted sled 80 m (262.4 ft) (2 laps of the 40 m; 131.2 ft course) on level ground to simulate advancing a charged hose (pull force required to move sled = 18.5 kg; 40.7 lb). Turn lines are also marked 3 m (10 ft) beyond the end line so the participant knows when the sled has crossed the end line without looking behind. 
    

The components of the circuit include:

WFX-FIT is completed as a timed circuit. All four (4) components must be tested together.

Ontario FireRangers will be required to complete the circuit in 17 minutes and 15 seconds. In order to qualify for national export, FireRangers will be required to meet the national exchange standard of 14 minutes and 30 seconds.

Fitness Training Guidelines

Following is a link to a physical fitness training program to prepare candidates for performing the WFX-FIT. It begins with a 6 week generic plan to improve all areas of physical fitness, then, for candidates who do not have access to specific resistance training equipment, 4 different detailed programs are provided utilizing different training modalities;

a) Contemporary Fitness Training Equipment

b) Free Weights (dumbbells) Only

c) Body Weight/Callisthenic Only

c) A Replication of the WFX-FIT Circuit

Link to Fitness Training Guidelines for WFX-FIT

A Final Word

The WFX-FIT is one of several requirements in the hiring considerations for initial attack forest firefighters. By following the guidelines in this article you will improve your aerobic fitness, muscular strength and muscular endurance, which are essential fitness capacities for safe and effective forest firefighting. However, the training and testing guidelines in this article do not guarantee that you will pass the WFX-FIT test.

Contact the WFX-FIT Testing Agencies directly to find out where you can attempt the WFX-FIT test.