What does it take to be a first responder? Informed by the latest research, Australian emergency services have a new way to find out.
The national SES Fitness for Role program was launched today by AFAC and State Emergency Service agencies at the AFAC23 conference in Brisbane and will provide a single approach to ensure SES staff and volunteers have the physical fitness to operate safely as first responders.
The new program is backed entirely by research from the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC that was completed by Natural Hazards Research Australia. The SES fit for task project was jointly funded by the Australian Council of State Emergency Services and undertaken by Human Performance Science, in partnership with SES agencies and AFAC.
Download the research report and Hazard Note.
Natural Hazards Research Australia CEO Andrew Gissing praised SES agencies for embedded and using collaborative research.
"This research is a brilliant example of using research evidence to transform practice for our emergency services. It has given the SES the evidence it needed to develop this national program to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the incredible SES workforce across the county,” Gissing said.
NSW SES Commissioner and AFAC President Carlene York APM launched the program, which includes nine activities that assess physical fitness for land-based and water-based SES operations and training.
“There are so many roles in the SES and so many ways to contribute to keeping our communities safe during emergencies. This project isn’t about who can and can’t volunteer – it’s about finding the right role for each of our members so everyone can contribute meaningfully,” Commissioner York said.
Also on hand for the launch was Victoria SES Chief Officer Tim Wiebusch, who noted collaboration was key to the success of the important initiative.
"Turning research into action isn't easy. Every SES agency's active involvement in the research and its practical application demonstrates our collective belief and commitment to the program, as well as a strong dedication to delivering health and safety benefits to our members across the country,” Chief Officer Wiebusch said.
The nine activities assessed by the research mimic the relevant operational tasks that SES members undertake, the level of effort required to meet these minimum physical fitness levels, and the environments that SES members operate in.
For example, SES members engaged in storm damage response activities need to be able to lift and carry various items (including sandbags) to and from a vehicle and around an emergency scene, climb a ladder, haul equipment (such as tools and tarpaulins) onto roofs and clear debris.
The Fitness for Role program is backed up by more than a decade of research to measure the minimum physical fitness that SES members require to do their job safely and effectively.
The research analysed a variety of SES job tasks to determine the most common and physically demanding tasks that are required for SES operational activities. SES staff and volunteers from every state and territory participated in the job task analysis.
The Fitness for Role program benefits the safety and wellbeing of individual SES members. It also ensures that when SES members are deployed to support other states and territories during major emergencies , they are safe enough to assist.
“The program's success is a direct result of the strong leadership and dedication from SES agencies, right across Australia, over the past ten years,” said Victoria SES CEO and Australian Council of State Emergency Services Chair, Stephen Griffin.
"It's incredibly exciting to see this program come to life, and how it will reduce injuries among our members and improve their overall health. This project is a great example of what can be achieved when like-minded agencies in Australia come together and work collaboratively to tackle shared goals,” Griffin said.
Ultimately, the project contributes to the safety, health and wellbeing of SES members across Australia, reduces the risk of injury while performing required tasks, and contributes to building a culture of wellbeing.
Watch Human Performance Science researchers Rob Savage, Dr Jared Bailey and Aaron Silk explain the research process and SES members demonstrate the tasks they completed as part of the research.