SOP 211.05 Wellness/Fitness Initiative

I. Purpose

Ennis Fire Department recognizes that the health, safety, and wellness of its firefighters are of the utmost importance to the organization. The creation of the Ennis Fire Department Wellness/Fitness program demonstrates the department’s commitment to its workforce. The Wellness/Fitness program will strive to increase firefighters’ physical performance levels while encouraging each member to embrace the ideas of personal wellness and fitness, leading to a healthy and productive career and retirement.

The Wellness/Fitness program medical examination will focus on the early detection of life-threatening injuries and illnesses, the timely referral for treatment of the discovered condition, and the return of the firefighter back to work as soon as possible.

II. Background

When compared to the general population, firefighters suffer disproportionately higher rates of heart attacks and cancers. A Change was needed, a program that provided for the firefighters general well being.

The Wellness-Fitness Initiative (WFI) was developed. The WFI shifts the focus of fire departments to improving the quality of life for its firefighters. This in turn provides better service to the citizens of Ennis by ensuring its firefighters are in peak physical health. Medical examinations, fitness maintenance and assessments, rehabilitation, behavioral health, and data collection make up the five components of the WFI.EFD Wellness/Fitness Program incorporates these five components.

III. Policy

A. All personnel will participate in this program.

B. The EFD Wellness/Fitness Program is the core program that will provide medical examinations and fitness assessments to all uniformed employees.

C. Medical examinations and procedures set by the Wellness/Fitness Program physician or staff will be performed on duty.

D. Medical examinations will be job-related and the content will be determined with guidance from the IAFF/IAFC Joint Labor Management Wellness-Fitness Initiative and NFPA 1582. Fitness assessments will be consistent with the WFI and the existing EFD fitness assessment program.

E. Medical data will be collected during the medical exams in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). Information collected during the medical exams may be shared in a collective and anonymous format with the International Association of Fire Fighters’ Office of Health and Safety. This data will be used to demonstrate, and ultimately to mitigate, the epidemiology of firefighters. It may also be utilized to improve safety and prevention techniques.

Neither physician nor EFD staff will share a participant’s medical

information with any other member of EFD.

IV. Procedure

A. Medical examination frequency will be determined by age:

• Ages 20-29: Every three years

• Ages 30-39: Every two years

• Ages 40 +: Annually

Medical examination content might vary based on age, gender, and job specific duties (i.e. Administration).

B. A fitness assessment will be conducted annually for all members and will be scheduled on the same date as the medical examinations when possible.

C. The Wellness/Fitness Program coordinator will schedule all medical examinations and fitness assessments in coordination with the Chief officer.

D. EFD personnel shall wear appropriate athletic apparel, as per EFD uniform policy, while performing the medical examinations and the fitness assessment.

V. Medical Action Plan

1. Medical Action Plan (MAP) and case management are initiated. The Wellness Physician directs and reviews the Medical Action Plan with the individual. Terms of medical action plan and compliance are established at this time.

2. Medical Treatment and Follow-Up. As Medical Action Plan progresses, the Wellness Physician review plans, consult with outside medical entities, and revises MAP as appropriate.

Participation in this program is mandatory for all personnel. A member may choose, at their own expense, to have their physical examination or any component of the medical examination performed by a physician other than the EFD Wellness physician at the firefighter’s own cost. The medical examination content performed by a private physician must be the same as the examination performed by the EFD Wellness physician. If a firefighter has their own primary physician perform the required medical examination, then the results must be faxed to the EFD Wellness physician prior to their annual

appointment. Any components that are not performed by the primary physician can be completed at the EFD physician’s office.

We at EFD must strive to develop and implement a comprehensive program for the well being of our firefighters. The development of a plan that is well based; that overcomes the negative timed, task-based performance testing of the past, to a progressive wellness improvement program for today’s firefighters.