MCCCD Official Course Competencies:

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Fitness and Conditioning for Firefighters

1.

Describe the physical requirements for performing basic fire fighting tasks. (I)

2.

Explain the relationship of proper nutrition to total fitness. (I)

3.

Explain the impact of protective clothing on the physical performance of firefighters. (I)

4.

Explain the physical and mental aspects of well-being and conditioning. (II)

5.

Demonstrate proper exercise techniques for specific conditioning programs. (II)

6.

Explain the relationship between proper training and effective physical and mental performance. (II, III)

7.

Apply skills of physical and mental aspects of performance required in physical agility testing and fire fighting. (III)

8.

Perform specific manipulative firefighter tasks. (IV)

9.

Explain the relationship between firefighter fitness evaluations and the physical agility pre-employment tests. (V)

10.

Contrast and compare firefighter health and fitness to performance, productivity, and quality of life in the workplace. (VI)

MCCCD Official Course Outline:

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Fitness and Conditioning for Firefighters

I. Physical Requirements of Fire Fighting

A. Physical fitness

1. Flexibility

2. Aerobic conditioning

3. Muscular strength

4. Muscular endurance

B. Nutrition

1. Basic balanced diet

2. Specialized diets

C. Fire Fighting environment

1. Micro effects of inside protective clothing

2. Macro environment of outside protective clothing

II. Physical Aspects of Well-Being and Conditioning

A. Exercise principles

1. General adaptation

2. Specificity of training

3. Overload principle

B. Exercise physiology

1. Aerobic and anaerobic energy sources

2. Muscle physiology

3. Recovery from undertraining/overtraining

4. Myotatic stretch reflex

5. Physical effects of environment

6. Injury prevention

C. Proper exercise techniques

1. Flexibility

2. Weight training

3. Specialized programs

4. Implementation of organizational programs

III. Mental Aspects of Performance

A. Stress model

B. Relaxation techniques

C. Focus training

D. Visualization

E. Performance keys

F. Mastering skills

IV. Fire Fighting

A. Equipment

1. Hydrant

2. Ladders

3. Hose evolutions

4. Others

B. Tasks

1. Ventilation

2. Search and rescue

3. Others

V. Physical Agility Preparation

A. Physical and mental fitness

B. Mastering motor skills

C. Pre-employment evaluation

VI. Lifelong Fitness and Conditioning

A. Physiologic change and the aging process

B. Changes in job requirements