Approach
In 1998, the Los Angeles County Fire
Department (LACFD) joined the nine other Task
Force fire departments to form the IAFF/IAFC
Wellness-Fitness Initiative (WFI). The LACFD funded
its Fitness for Life
wellness program through a budget
increase approved by the County Board of
Supervisors. The LACFD has had three
Fitness for Life wellness coordinators
in approximately 10 years. Each
coordinator has contributed a portion
to the overall success of the program.
The program
initially started with mandatory
physical fitness. The
LACFD invested in the station equipment
and reinstituted annual medicals. Later,
it began a cardio program.
Medical
|
Facility |
Contracted - 5 medical clinics |
|
Physician |
Contracted |
|
Additional Staff |
Full time Wellness Coordinator |
|
Exam Frequency |
Annual |
|
Exam Details |
All components of the WFI
Full max stress test
3%
incentive pay for participation
Cardiac CT and Angio-program |
ACSM Coronary Artery Disease
Risk Factor Thresholds
Cardiac Study
PFT Medical Exam Quality Assurance
Checklist
Fitness
|
IAFF/IAFC PFTs |
Yes |
|
Duties |
Fitness Assessments and Exercise
Prescriptions
Body composition evaluation and
weight management counseling
Recruit Fitness Training
Injury prevention program |
|
Exercise Time |
On-duty mandatory 1.5 hours
dedicated time |
|
Exercise Program |
Recruit fitness program - daily
exercises led by PFT's
Post recruit mentor program |
|
Equipment |
In
every station - weight bench
w/dumbbells; recumbent bike and
treadmill; stability ball |
|
Nutrition |
Meal Plans |
16 Week Fire Suppression Aid Fitness
Program
16 Week Fitness Program Tracking Sheet
Cardiovascular Fitness Worksheet
Fitness for Life Career Path
Fitness Evaluation Flow Chart
Fitness Orientation Agenda
Fitness Orientation Letter
Fitness Policy Background
PFT Referral Form
Physical Fitness Guidelines
Pre Academy Fitness Orientation
Probationary Fire Fighter Fitness
Contract
Program Design Instructions
Program Design Template
Recruit Pre-Academy Briefing
Proposal for Assisting FF Candidates
Self Assessment Protocols
Station Equipment Nautilus Invoice
Injury-Rehab
|
Method |
Contracted for worker's comp;
minor injury prevention program
through PFTs |
|
Modified/Light Duty |
Yes |
|
Injury Prevention Committee |
No
committee |
Limited Duty Assignment Program
Behavioral
Health
|
Method |
Fire Fighter on own |
|
EAP |
Yes |
|
Stress
Management |
Yes |
Cost
Justification
EBCT Scan Justification
Fitness for Life Program Success
Measurement of Success
Why Wellness Document
Data
Collection
|
Method |
Currently use Excel and working
on getting a grant to implement
a new MIS system |
|
Data Collected |
Medical Fitness Stats
Worker's Comp |
Data Collection Justification
Implementation
Fit for Life Contractors
Fit for Life Requirement Letter
PFT Contact Plan
Miscellaneous
Clinic Evaluation
