Approach
The Orange County Fire Authority
(OCFA) believes that the best way to provide
the highest level of service to the
communities it serves is to ensure that
the best resources are available to
provide that service. In
keeping with that philosophy, the OCFA
implemented the IAFF)/(IAFC) Joint LaborManagement
Wellness-Fitness Initiative (WFI) in
2003. This
comprehensive program incorporates the
five following areas:
• Medical Examinations
• Fitness Evaluations
• Behavioral Health
• Rehabilitation Services
• Data Collection
• Immunization & Disease Screening
OCFA fire fighters are offered these
comprehensive medical and fitness exams
annually.The exams are performed in a
confidential setting in which the member
has the opportunity to have a
consultation with a physician. The
evaluations include a full blood panel
assessment, hearing and vision exams,
chest x-rays and a fitness exam. These
types of exams have shown to be very
helpful to the individual and the
organization. By detecting potential
medical or physical ailments early, they increase the quality of life
for the individual and reduce the
potential costs associated with
fire fighter-specific injuries.
In the first two years of implementation
of the WFI, the OCFA showed a reduction of
more than 50 percent in the number of back
injuries. That is a tremendous benefit
to the members of the OCFA and the
communities they serve. A healthy and
fit fire fighter can perform more
efficiently and more safely, thus
increasing effectiveness and longevity. One does not need to go far to see the
increasing cost of worker's compensation
claims and the associated detriments to
the organizations. This program
proactively addresses many of the
concerns for fire fighter safety and
community protection.
The OCFA has supported this program by
establishing the following positions for
the Wellness & Fitness (WEFIT) program
under the oversight of the OCFA risk
manager: a program manager and an
administrative assistant. The program
manager is a fire
captain or fire fighter) who is assigned
to this program full time. His or her
responsibilities include acting as the
liaison between labor and management,
designing and managing the medical
examination for all fire companies,
supervising the Peer Fitness Trainers
and the administrative assistant,
coordinating any fitness equipment needs
or resources with the exercise
physiologist and facilitating outreach
programs to the community.
Medical
|
Facility |
Contracted - UCI Center for
Occupational & Environmental
Health |
|
Physician |
UCI Dr. Leslie Israel, Medical
Director |
|
Additional Staff |
N/A |
|
Exam Frequency |
Every 2 years |
|
Exam Details |
see attached document |
WEFIT Immunization Screening Agreement
Fitness
|
IAFF/IAFC PFTs |
40
certified PFTs |
|
Duties |
Education
Fitness assessments
Academy fitness
Fitness program
design/implementation
One-on-one training at stations |
|
Exercise Time |
On
duty, 60-90 minutes per shift |
|
Exercise Program |
Core strength
Academy PT
Quarterly classes
Contract with training and rehab
vendor |
|
Equipment |
Full compliment or gym
memberships |
|
Nutrition |
Currently being developed |
Injury-Rehab
|
Method |
Physical therapy contract, Coury
& Buehler Physical Therapy
Injury Illness Prevention
Program (IIPP) - required by
CalOsha |
|
Modified/Light Duty |
Yes, as needed |
|
Injury Prevention Committee |
Safety & Occupational Health
Committee - represents Injury
Prevention Committee |
WEFIT Rehab Brochure
Behavioral
Health
|
Method |
On
own or referred by Management |
|
EAP |
Yes |
|
Stress
Management |
Yes |
Cost
Justification
|
Method |
Yes - program has proven to be
cost reducing in terms of
worker's comp claims and lost
time of work hours |
OCFA 2008 Workers' Compensation Report
WEFIT Tables and Figures
WEFIT Savings
Data
Collection
Implementation
WEFIT Program Implementation Agreement
