Development of two physical employment standard tests for aviation rescue firefighters with different ecological validity

BackgroundAviation rescue firefighting (ARFF) is a specialised occupation with unique physical demands that occur infrequently but require high readiness.ObjectiveThis study aimed to quantify ARFF job demands and develop defensible physical employment standard (PES) tests for incumbent firefighters.MethodsThrough a multi-phase approach, including trade task workshops (TTWs), trade task field observations (TTFOs), a trade task confirmation workshop (TTCW), and test development/validation, two PES tests were created: an operational equipment-based test and a hybrid test combining operational and gym equipment. Phase 1 involved 20 ARFF (sex: m = 17, f = 3; age: 39 ± 7 years; height: 1.80 ± 0.09 m; mass: 86 ± 13 kg) testing initial versions. Phase 2 involved 42 ARFF (sex: m = 39, f = 3; height: 1.81 ± 0.08 m; mass: 85 ± 12 kg) refining a hybrid version.ResultsA good agreement was shown between tests and live scenarios in distance travelled (454.7 ± 24.5 m vs. 478.4 ± 37.3 m vs. 534.7 ± 111.8 m for gym, operational, and scenario, respectively), intensity (65 ± 10.5 m/min vs. 66.7 ± 9.2 m/min vs. 24.9 ± 4.5 m/min), and rating of perceived exertion (RPE; 60 ± 20 vs. 54 ± 21 vs. 56 ± 23). Oxygen consumption and heart rate metrics further validated physiological equivalence.ConclusionsThe hybrid test was recommended for its balance of ecological validity and administrative ease, with time-based standards for each segment. These tests provide scientifically rigorous, non-discriminatory tools for assessing ARFF physical competency, enhancing occupational safety and performance.