Firefighter running an obstacle course as part of his physical test.
It is important for fire department employees to be physically and medically fit to do their job. This is why firefighters periodically undergo a new job-specific examination. To realise this, nine employees of the Caribbean Netherlands Fire Department BCKN were trained as test leaders for the Periodic Preventive Medical Examination, which takes place annually.
All nine employees, one from Saba, three from St. Eustatius and five from Bonaire, passed the exam and are now qualified PPMO test leaders.
National coordinator/teacher Ellen Buskens from the Netherlands has trained them and also administered the exam. The new test leaders are now authorised to administer the PMMO test to other colleagues.
The work of a test leader comprises assessing objectively whether participants meet the physical requirements of the new Fire Department examinations.
The exam consists of two components, namely questionnaires and a medical examination which is administered by an occupational medical officer. The physical test is administered by a test leader. The assessment of the entire examination is performed by the occupational medical officer.
BKCN staff must undergo the physical part of this new examination annually. During the physical test, BKCN employees must run an obstacle course in full gear with compressed air, during which they have to perform all kinds of physical challenges which the Fire Department may face during actual deployment.
They subsequently have to climb a flight of stairs with 100 steps within two minutes while wearing full gear with a total weight of 45 kilogrammes.
This physical test is to establish if the fire fighter’s level of fitness is adequate to do his or her job properly. The same requirements apply to male and female firefighters because they have to do the same work.
Employees themselves are responsible for maintaining physical fitness. On Bonaire they can do this at the Fire Station’s gym. Their colleagues on Saba and Statia visit local gyms.
To “whip” firefighters into shape and to maintain their physical fitness, the Fire Department employs a sports instructor, and periodically also a lifestyle coach.
Buskens was very enthusiastic about her trainees. “Never before have had I had the pleasure of teaching a group which was so well prepared,” Buskens said.
