SEREMBAN, 4 SEPTEMBER 2025 – As part of an ongoing research project on the well-being of ageing workers in the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (JBPM), a pilot test of the Fit-To-Work application was conducted with 30 firefighters at JBPM Negeri Sembilan.

The session combined app-based questionnaires with ergonomic assessments using the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) method, a tool designed to evaluate postural risks associated with work-related physical tasks. Through this assessment, researchers were able to observe body movements, posture, and exertion levels, identifying potential ergonomic challenges faced by ageing firefighters during their duties.

Following the assessment, participants carried out a series of simulated operational tasks that reflected real-life firefighting and rescue scenarios. These included laying out, rolling, and storing fire hoses; performing ladder drills; operating Road Traffic Accident (RTA) rescue equipment; and conducting casualty evacuation using a stretcher. Each task was carefully monitored to capture the physical demands and ergonomic risks involved, providing valuable insights into the functional fitness and readiness of ageing personnel in the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (JBPM).

Led by researchers from MyAgeing®, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) with support from NIOSH, this initiative aims to develop a reliable framework for assessing the fitness and readiness of ageing firefighters, contributing to Malaysia’s wider agenda on active ageing and workforce sustainability.