IAFF Releases WFI 3rd Edition 

August 12, 2008 -- The IAFF and IAFC created the Fire Service Joint Labor/Management Wellness-Fitness Initiative (WFI) in 1996 to improve the health and fitness of fire fighters and paramedics across North America. The WFI has had great success in this endeavor, and the IAFF is continuing to improve all health and safety programs.

The IAFF 49th Convention marks the official release of the 3rd Edition of the Wellness-Fitness Initiative. This latest revision to this vital program includes additional information that will assist affiliates in overcoming the most common obstacles in implementing the WFI, such as a cost justification chapter that reviews the economic impact of the WFI on the 10 charter cities by calculating occupational claims and costs.

A new implementation chapter helps affiliates get started and offers a step-by-step approach to full implementation of the WFI. IAFF affiliates and their fire department can use this process to evaluate a current wellness-fitness program or to design and implement a new program that meets the criteria identified in this initiative.

In addition, the WFI fitness protocols have been updated and now include a video demonstration for each of the protocols. The appendix and accompanying video illustrate the proper methods and equipment for determining body composition, aerobic capacity, muscular strength, muscular endurance and flexibility. The Gerkin and FDNY protocols have been replaced with the new WFI Stepmill and WFI Treadmill protocols.

The IAFF is also developing a centralized database to serve as a repository for collecting and analyzing clinical and health outcome data generated by the 10 charter member jurisdictions. The data chapter in the 3rd edition of the WFI reviews the current efforts in this area. Other additions to this initiative include updated and expanded information in the medical and rehabilitation chapters.

Contact the IAFF Division of Occupational Health, Safety and Medicine at (202) 824-9304 for the WFI 3rd Edition DVD or download a low resolution version at www.iaff.org . The "I Am Alive Video" can be viewed online. A video demonstration of the new fitness protocols is also available online.

Wellness is a commitment all fire fighters and paramedics must make to survive the job. When fire fighters and paramedics are sick or injured, malnourished or overweight, over stressed or out of balance, it affects their ability to effectively do their job. The IAFF will continue to provide fire departments the opportunity to invest in their most valuable resource – their members.