Return to Work Screening Tool consultation

On behalf of NFCC Health and Wellbeing Board, we are delighted to launch the consultation process for: Return to Work Screening Tool. This will run for six weeks, closing on Monday 21 July 2025.

This guidance has been developed by Liam Noll at Essex Fire and Rescue Service (FRS), in collaboration with several participating FRSs, following Liam’s completion of a four-year PHD.

While national fitness standards exist for UK firefighters, there is currently no national standard for return-to-work (RTW) assessments following injury. The Fit for Duty Screening Tool addresses this gap by supporting the evaluation of a firefighter’s readiness to return to operational duties after a musculoskeletal injury.

The screening tool is grounded in extensive research involving service fitness advisors, operational firefighters (across all ranks and training roles), and occupational health professionals. It is endorsed and used by the Firefighters Charity.

Our aim is to establish this as national guidance for fire and rescue services across the UK.

A copy of the document, along with other relevant documents, are available within the online survey introduction.

Consultation Link: Return to Work screening tool consultation