It is the policy of the district to assure that employees returning to work from extended injury or illness are physically competent and safe to conduct the tasks related to their employment. The district intends to protect personnel from sustaining further injury, endangering the public or incurring unnecessary cost to the district.

2 Definition

As defined in NFPA 1582, an injury is any injury or illness sustained on or off duty that prohibits a firefighter from meeting the essential functions of his or her job.

Extended Absence is defined as any leave from regular duty lasting longer than (60) sixty calendar days.

3. Safety personnel shall be subject to a Fit for Duty Functional Capacity Evaluation when one or more of the following has occurred:

A. The employee was absent from duty for more than sixty days.

B. Significant injury or illness affecting the employee's ability to perform the essential functions of the job .

C. As recommended by the treating physician.

4. The Functional Capacity Evaluation shall effectively and objectively measure the physical capacity of the injured worker, relative to the employee meeting the essential functions of the classification that they hold. These functions are a matter of business necessity . Personnel shall not be permitted to attempt the Functional Capacity Evaluation until:

A. They have been completely released to work by the treating physician.

B. Injuries and illnesses have been healed and rehabilitated.

C. Deemed appropriate by the district.

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