Fitness tests for Staffordshire fire crews

An exercise guru is being lined up to give Staffordshire firefighters fitness tests amid concerns some may not be up to the job.

Nine hundred firefighters will be forced to undergo regular tests under plans revealed today – and anyone who fails the tests could face penalties.

A report reveals there are worries the authority is currently at risk of breaching its duty of care to staff by failing to check they are "fit to undertake the duties of their role".

Testing is expected to start in January 2013. A fitness adviser and exercise equipment will be brought in as part of the proposals.

The expected cost of the plans, which are outlined in a report to go before a meeting of the fire authority this week, has not yet been finalised. The report states: "It is proposed that fitness testing commence in January 2013, giving staff the opportunity to prepare and enhance their levels of fitness if needed prior to their assessments.

"If we do not undertake fitness arrangements we are at risk of breaching our duty of care under the Health and Safety at Work Act by not ensuring that staff are fit to undertake the duties of their role." Improving fitness levels is "particularly important" as firefighters are "required to work to an older age because of pension changes", the report adds.

Director Judith Doran said: "Ultimately we need to be able to ensure that our firefighters have the required level of fitness to perform their job safely."

Asked what penalties firefighters could face for failing fitness tests, spokeswoman Heather Challinor said: "This will be an area for discussion, but obviously we have existing policies and procedures in place for anyone who is not meeting the performance required of them in their role."