LETTER OF UNDERSTANDING

The City of Livonia and the Livonia Fire Fighters Union have agreed on the following items pertaining to the Fitness Incentive Program:

1. The program format, tests and compensatory time incentives as described in Section II, and “Implementation,” of the attached program outline.

2. The Fire Chief, at his sole discretion and at any time, may eliminate the Fitness Testing Program.

FITNESS INCENTIVE TESTING PROGRAM

INTRODUCTION

Fire Fighters and Officers of the Livonia Fire & Rescue Department continue to raise the bar when it comes to fitness and exercise.  The Fitness Incentive Testing (FIT) program is being introduced not only to reward those efforts, but also to support and encourage physical fitness, both on and off duty.

It goes without saying that Fire Fighting is a dangerous and stressful occupation.  Fire Fighters are subject to injury and disease at rates higher than the general population.  Studies have shown that a healthy lifestyle can reduce weight, increase strength, reduce stress, and promote overall well being.

When a Fire Fighter begins his/her career they are subject to physical screenings as well as physical agility testing. Once employed, the emphasis on wellness and physical fitness often takes a back seat to training and other duties.  As Fire Fighters progress through their career, the emphasis on wellness should be even more important.
     

Twice annual agility testing will provide a benchmark to help Fire Fighters maintain health and wellness throughout their careers.
LIVONIA FIRE DEPARTMENT

FITNESS INCENTIVE PROGRAM

I.  Objectives

A.    To identify the fitness level of individual firefighters and measure their progress.

B.     Promote better employee fitness.

C.     Reduce injury.

D.    Enhance mental alertness, productivity and operational readiness of fire                         fighters.

II.  Implementation

A.    Overview

The Livonia Fire Department Fitness Incentive Program will consist of a voluntary physical fitness test administered twice annually, providing the employee with the opportunity to earn additional time off based on their level of performance.

The program will be directed by the Training Coordinator and the test administered by the Wellness/Fitness Initiative Team (WFI).

Fire Fighters will participate in the program on their own time.

Program participants shall be covered under workman’s compensation benefits in event of injury during the official testing.

Those employees choosing not to participate shall not be disadvantaged in any way.

Participants in the program will be required to submit a prescribed medical screening form, signed by their physician, prior to any testing.

Testing notification shall be posted 60 days prior to each testing period to minimize scheduling problems.

Fire Fighters who chose to participate must register for the test with the Batt. Chief’s Office prior to the first scheduled test date.

Participants may test only one time in each six month test period.

All three test components must be taken in sequence during the same test session.

A 10-minute period shall separate the administration of each test component.

B.     Test Components

The test program will utilize PUSHUPS, SIT-UPS and a 1.5 MILE TIMED RUN to test, measure, and score body strength, endurance and cardiovascular capacity.

PUSHUPS

This test measures body strength in the chest, shoulders and upper arms.  Strength in this area of the body is important for performing tasks such as raising ladders, pulling ceilings, and lifting stretchers.  The Fire Fighter starts from a front leaning rest position.  The Fire Fighter begins by lowering their body toward the floor so as to bring the shoulders even with or below the level of the elbow.  He/she then pushes up to full arm extension and immediately thereafter proceeds to repeat the exercise.  No resting is permitted between repetitions.  The total number of correctly performed pushups is recorded.

SIT-UPS

This test measures muscular endurance in the abdominal muscle group.  Muscular endurance is the ability of the muscles to contract repeatedly for a particular amount of time.  Considerable evidence exists supporting the correlation between poor abdominal muscle development and lower back problems.  This exercise will begin with the Fire Fighter’s back flat on the floor in the bent knee position with the arms folded across the chest.  He/she will then sit up to a full-seated position and then lower their trunk back to the starting position.  The exercise will then be immediately repeated with no resting permitted between repetitions.  The total number of correctly performed sit-ups is recorded.

1.5 MILE RUN

This test is an excellent measure of cardiovascular condition measuring ones aerobic capacity; the ability of the heart and lungs to oxygenate the muscles.  The test consists of a timed 1.5 mile run, with the Fire Fighter's total elapsed time being recorded.

The Fire Fighter's performance in the three tests will determine the level of incentive earned.  There are four levels of achievement based on age and gender.

C.     Test Standards

D.    Incentive Awards

There will be four levels of achievement for Fire Fighter’s who meet or surpass the minimum standard.  Fit White will be designated for those who meet the minimum established requirements for each test.  Fit Blue will be designated for those who meet the average established requirements for each test.  Fit Silver will indicate an advanced fitness level demonstrated by meeting established standards above the minimum.

Fit Gold is reserved for those who attain a superior fitness level meeting the top established standards.  To attain an achievement level, the Fire Fighter must meet the minimum standard for that specific level in all three test categories.

E.Incentive Compensation

Fit White                    4 Personal Hours

Fit Blue                      8 Personal Hours

Fit Silver                    10 Personal Hours

Fit Gold                      12 Personal Hours

Fire Fighters who participate in the voluntary FIT testing program and do not meet the minimum established requirements of each test would receive no incentive for the testing period.  They will remain eligible to participate in future testing.

Fire Fighters who successfully meet the challenge of the FIT testing program shall be awarded the appropriate number of personal hours based on their level of achievement.  Appropriate records will be maintained by the Training Coordinator with FIT time awards being forwarded to the Chief’s office and as well recorded with the Batt. Chief’s office within ten days of the completion of the testing period.

Fire Fighters shall not accumulate more than 24 FIT hours at anytime.  Should this occur, the excess hours would be forfeited without any additional compensation.  FIT hours shall not be converted into monetary compensation.  It is the individual fire fighter’s responsibility to track the total number of hours accumulated to ensure management of their FIT time.  The granting or utilization of such time will follow the same rules outlined in the CBA as it pertains to Personal Business. 

Finally, the WFI Team shall continue to promote utilization of the employee wellness program available through the City of Livonia’s Rec Center to further support the objectives of the FIT Program.

III.  Monitoring of Objectives

A.    Test records will be maintained on all program participants.

B.     Performance ratings for program participants will be secured by the program administrator.

C.     Feedback will be encouraged from program participants through a voluntary questionnaire.

IV.  Evaluation

A.    Program records will be analyzed by the program administrator and WFI Team participation, continued participation and individual progress.

B.     Fitness data will be analyzed for any correlation between Fire Fighter’s injury rate /type and program-measured fitness.

C.     Questionnaires will be analyzed by the program administrator and the WFI Team to help evaluate the program and seek employee input.

FIT Test LFD Final.doc