FFR Assessments

Background 

The Fit for Role project was first initiated in 2014 by the Australian Council of State Emergency Services (ACSES), with an initial program of research being undertaken by Deakin University looking into the physiological effects of operational activities on emergency service workers. In 2018, the scope of the research project was extended to develop a series of physical fitness assessments to support operational activities undertaken by SES nationally.  

This research established a series of validated, defensible, and practical physical fitness standards for the tasks commonly performed by SES members around the country. This program objectively assesses members’ ability to undertake defined roles, whilst assuring the safety of the individuals undertaking these tasks. It also supports members in making a self-assessment of their ability to undertake training, along with performing roles within SES, including returning to duty following an injury.  

This approach has the support of ACSES, the Bushfire and Natural Hazards Cooperative Research Centre (BNHCRC), the National State Emergency Service Volunteers Association (NSESVA) and all state and territory-based SES agencies who are united in their vision of protecting the safety and wellbeing of SES members and the community across Australia.  

Purpose 

The purpose of this webpage is to ensure that everyone knows and understands the skill sets and associated physical assessment standards, prior to attempting them under assessment conditions. It has been written in plain and clear language to reduce ambiguity on the standards required. The aim is to have a well-defined set of national standards that are transparent to all.  

You can use this webpage to conduct a self-assessment against these standards to check if you are ready to undertake assessment. For example, you may like to work within a crew or group of friends to set up and practice the tasks required, as long as you do so safely and in a socially responsible way, i.e. don’t drag a tyre behind you on a walk around the block, nor try to rescue a dummy in a public pool.