5120-2005-1
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FOREST SERVICE MANUAL
MARK TWAIN NF (REGION 9)
ROLLA, MO
FSM 5100 – FIRE MANAGEMENT
CHAPTER 5120 - PREPAREDNESS
Supplement No.: R9 Mark Twain 5120-2005-1
Effective Date: December 5, 2005
Duration: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
Approved: RONNIE RAUM
Forest Supervisor
Date Approved: 12/05/2005
Posting Instructions: Supplements are numbered consecutively by Handbook number and
calendar year. Post by document; remove the entire document and replace it with this
supplement. Retain this transmittal as the first page(s) of this document.
New Document
R9 Mark Twain 5120-2005-1
Superseded Document(s)
(Supplement Number and
Effective Date)
None
5 Pages
Digest: In order by code, summarize the main additions, revisions, or removal of direction
incorporated in this supplement.
5126.1 – Add section regarding forest policy for Work Capacity and Physical Fitness.
R9 MARK TWAIN SUPPLEMENT
EFFECTIVE DATE: 12/05/2005
DURATION: Effective until superseded or removed
5120-2005-1
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FSM 5100 – FIRE MANAGEMENT
CHAPTER 5120 - PREPAREDNESS
5126 - PREPAREDNESS TRAINING AND QUALIFICATIONS
5126.1 - Minimum Training Requirements
The Work Capacity Test will be utilized as the sole test to assess firefighter fitness on an
annual basis. The requirements to implement the WCT will provide for the health and safety
of personnel in the fire program—from the early stages in identification of employees to
participate in fire programs, then through physical fitness training, fitness testing and,
ultimately, during fire activities.
1. Initial Screening Process: A health screening process is required for all persons
desiring to participate in conditioning exercises for taking any level of the WCT for
positions on wildland fire incidents or to participate in prescribed burning projects. The
screening process for permanent or temporary employees will consist of completing a
Health Screening Questionnaire (HSQ) and physical exam at least 4 to 6 weeks prior to
the WCT. All employees will be required to obtain a physical screening from a medical
professional. The HSQ is a self-screening questionnaire developed by the American
Heart Association and the American College of Sports Medicine and is a single-page
document to be completed by the individual. It is a confidential document and must be
handled accordingly.
2. Timing for Process: The screening process would take place prior to employees
beginning training for the WCT or at least 4 to 6 weeks prior to the test date. The WCT
will be conducted annually, and the physical screenings shall take place between Oct. –
Aug. 15 of that fiscal year. The Forest will make every effort to consolidate the WCT
screening and physicals with the requirement of physicals for CDL licensing. Employees
should schedule and have the necessary paperwork to accomplish both requirements in
one visit to the physician. An HSQ packet will be given to employees for the physical
exams. The HSQ packet contains the Health Screening Questionnaire, SF-78 (Certificate
of Medical Examination), a letter to the physician explaining the questionnaire and
physical requirements of the position, and a letter to the employee explaining the process
and instructions for returning the forms to the appropriate officials Servicing Human
Resource Officer (SHRO).
3. Physicians and Payment for Physical Examinations: For employees requiring a
medical exam, the Forest may designate a physician or other qualified medical provider,
or offer employees and prospective employees the option of seeing a physician or other
qualified medical provider of their choice. A Forest Service Official (not the employee
receiving the physical) will contact the medical provider or physician and set up the
screening. Payment for Physical Examinations: Consistent with direction in Title 5, Code
of Federal Regulations, parts 339.302-304, when the agency requires a physical
examination, it must pay for the costs of that examination. However, if the Forest
Service offers a routine examination and the employee or prospective employee chooses
R9 MARK TWAIN SUPPLEMENT
EFFECTIVE DATE: 12/05/2005
DURATION: Effective until superseded or removed
5120-2005-1
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FSM 5100 – FIRE MANAGEMENT
CHAPTER 5120 - PREPAREDNESS
to supplement the examination with information from their personal physician or medical
provider, the Forest Service does not have to pay for such supplemental medical
examination. Additional guidance about the scope of authorized examination and
payments is included in the WCT Implementation Guide. (b) The Forest Service will
pay customary and reasonable charges for the medical officer review and a
standard physical examination, or for those employees required to have an annual
physical due to age. Extensive testing beyond this, if determined necessary by the
physician, shall require prior approval and may be granted on a case-by-case basis.
This determination to be made by an authorizing official, such as the Forest Fire
Management Officer, the District Ranger, the zone Fire Management Officer, and/or the
Forest Safety Officer. Physicians will bill the appropriate Forest Service office as stated
in the “Letter to Physician”. If an employee does not receive clearance by a medical
provider when it is required, the employee will be notified to cease training conducted on
official time and will not be allowed to take the WCT until medical clearance is obtained.
4. Physical examinations for AD employees: Forest hired AD employees must present a
HSQ, and physical exam from a Physician or a qualified medical provider. (b) The
Forest Service is not responsible for AD medical exam costs. Medical examinations
may be paid for if the position is of a critical nature, is in the best interests of the
agency, and the Forest Service determines to proceed with the hiring. Paying for
medical exams is consistent with direction in the Regional Administratively Determined
Pay Plan. However, the AD should not be in a hired status during the exam. The
examination cost should be charged to the P-code for AD training assigned to your
Region by the National Fire Finance Office in Boise.
5. (c) Official Paid Time for Exercise: The Mark Twain National Forest Physical Fitness
Training Policy authorizes employees to train for light, moderate, and arduous level fire
positions up to 3 hours of official time per week for exercise at approved locations. This
training may occur yearlong to enable employees to maintain fitness levels required for
the WCT, wildfire suppression, and prescribed burning activities. Fire funded employees
(assigned to fire crews and identified in the Fire Management action Plan) shall be
allowed up to 5 hours of official time per week of physical training when not engaged in
wildland fire operations.----- FSH 5109.17 Chapter 20_23.3(1) After completing the
WCT, 3 hours per week is all that the Forest authorized. Employees who utilize official
time for exercise will be expected to make themselves available for fire assignments and
local prescribed burn projects. Employees not funded by fire shall be allowed up to 3
hours per week of physical training, consistent with wellness programs, by the
employees’ request and based on supervisors’ approval. Fire program funds may be used
for approved physical training time based on guaranteed availability for fire-related
assignments.----- FSH 5109.17 Chapter 20_23.3(2) (c) Refer to FSM 6145.2, Mark
Twain 6100-2005-1, (Wellness program) for clarification on how to charge official
time and a list of approved activities for exercise programs.
R9 MARK TWAIN SUPPLEMENT
EFFECTIVE DATE: 12/05/2005
DURATION: Effective until superseded or removed
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FSM 5100 – FIRE MANAGEMENT
CHAPTER 5120 - PREPAREDNESS
6. Appropriate Level of Testing: Employees should take any of the WCTs that coincide
with what level of qualification that individual wants to maintain, i.e., light duty, field
test, or pack test. Note: Typically support positions, (i.e. delivery of meals and supplies to
staging areas); do not require physical fitness testing.
7. Employee Documentation: Test Administrators must document that each test participant
has the required forms of documentation. Each test participant will complete an
“Employee Work Capacity Test Record” and “Consent Form” the day of testing. The
record will include a statement that states, “I have prepared for the WCT” and also
includes a signature block that must be signed by all participants. Employees will be
allowed to take the WCT one time in a 48 hour period. The Forest Fire Management
Officer (FMO) will receive a copy of all required test preparation documents including
each unit’s medical plan, training plan and job hazard analysis. In addition, the FMO
shall also receive a list of test administrators; locations for each test and testing dates, all
in time to review them prior to testing each year.
8. Testing Locations: Testing locations will have all portions of the walkway visible to
administrators at all times and the entire route will be available to 2WD emergency
vehicles. Testing locations will have certified paramedics with full life-support systems
with an ambulance during the test administration. Units will share test date information
with other units so that units can team up to test as many employees as possible on each
test date.
9. Test Administration: Test administrators will receive mandatory training and two
administrators will be required on each test site during testing. Test administrators will
have the authority to disallow participants from taking the test or continuing the test if, in
their judgment, the employee will suffer injury from the test. Test administrators will
have a “critical incident checklist” (emergency medical information) at hand and know
how to implement it. A checklist or information regarding warning signs of potential
injuries causing situations will also be available to administrators. This checklist will act
as a guide to aid the test administrators in determining when to stop a participant who
may be having trouble completing the test. The Fire Management Officer or his/her
designee will be provided the opportunity to attend the test administrators training, and
will be provided a copy of the checklists mentioned above.
10. Testing Equipment: Footwear used for taking the test may vary, but they must provide
over the ankle or across the ankle support. It is understood there are a variety of pack and
vest styles, which will be furnished by the Forest or can be provided by the employee.
The packs will be weighed before and after each test.
11. Record keeping. Results of physical examinations and HSQ must be returned to the
(SHRO), and the (SHRO) will inform the WCT Administrators of who can participate in
physical training for the WCT on official time or taking the WCT. Once the WCT is
R9 MARK TWAIN SUPPLEMENT
EFFECTIVE DATE: 12/05/2005
DURATION: Effective until superseded or removed
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FSM 5100 – FIRE MANAGEMENT
CHAPTER 5120 - PREPAREDNESS
complete, the completed HSQ and medical forms must be maintained by the SHRO as
official medical records in accordance with instructions in Title 5, Code of Federal
Regulations 293, subpart E.
12. Failure to pass the physical exam and/or failure to pass the WCT. Temporary
employees may be terminated effective the next day for failure to pass the physical exam
or WCT test, a condition of employment. A second chance may be provided at the
discretion of management. Permanent employees whose positions require that they pass
the WCT but cannot pass it shall be given three attempts to pass it before permanent
action is initiated to address their fitness limitations. And, for those permanent employees
who cannot pass the physical examination to take the WCT, permanent action will be
initiated to address their fitness limitations. For any level of the WCT, permanent and
temporary personnel who do not perform firefighter assignments as a recurring part of
their positions, but who are authorized to perform such duties (i.e. as a part of the
“militia”), may be retested as many times as management deems appropriate.
(*)Field units are not authorized to supplement the direction in section 23. Physical fitness
measurement methods are established only by the Chief of the Forest Service.
The pack test is the sole physical fitness measurement recognized by the Forest Service.--FSH 5109.17 Chapter 20