IMPLEMENTATION

A wellness-fitness program that is developed and implemented in accordance with the Wellness-Fitness Initiative (WFI) will help secure the highest possible level of health to fire response personnel. These programs are also proven to be cost effective, typically by reducing the number of work-related injuries and lost workdays due to injury or illness. This has been the case in cities and IAFF affiliates around the country following implementation of the WFI. 

The Implementation chapter in the 3rd Edition of the Fire Service Joint Labor Management Wellness-Fitness Initiative provides a step-by-step approach to implementing the WFI. Any fire department can use this process to evaluate a current wellness-fitness program that meets the criteria identified in this Initiative.  While various elements and methods of a wellness-fitness program vary from department to department, the program development process will be similar. 

Listed below are two power points created by the IAFF Health & Safety Department.  They contain an overview and implementation section for the WFI and PFT programs.

PFT Overview
WFI Overview

To assist in this process, sample strategies and worksheets have been included to assist with the implementation of the WFI in your organization.  Click on the links below to view the worksheet:

Flow Chart
Meeting Guidelines
Goals and Objectives
Comparison Worksheet
Wellness-Fitness Considerations
Time Line Budget Worksheets
Needs Survey
Grant Narrative
Strategic Plan
MOU or Contract
Medical Baseline RFP
Communication Plan
Project Team Meeting Agenda
Action Plan
Pre Program Survey
One Year Post Survey
Large Department Re-organization Budget Request
WFI Checklist

This section below contains an overview and/or implementation documents that some of the cities used for their program:

FIRE SERVICE JOINT LABOR MANAGEMENT
WELLNESS-FITNESS TASK FORCE

Indianapolis, IN
     Fire Act Grant Application

Los Angeles Co., CA
     Committee Roster
     Fit for Life Contractors
     Fit for Life Requirement Letter
     PFT Contact Plan

Seattle, WA 
      AFG Grant Narrative
     Communications Plan

NON-TASK FORCE CITIES

Carrollton, TX
     Fitness Wellness Program SOP


Lewiston, ME
     Fire Act Grant Narrative

Mesa, AZ
     Wellness Program SOPs

Orange County Fire Authority, CA
     WEFIT Program Implementation Agreement

Portland Fire & Rescue, OR
     Physical Agility Test General Order
     Physical Fitness Program "Fit to Survive" General Order
     Summary of Wellness Program

Port Moody, BC

In 2006 Port Moody Fire Fighters, Local 2399, began implementing the WFI. Most components have been implemented. Local 2399 is working towards including the program in the Collective Bargaining Agreement, as well as acquiring additional funding to cover the costs of additional tests in the medical physical exam. The additional funds would also be used to access private consultants to provide MRIs, orthopedists and neurosurgeons for case by case issues to get fire fighters back to work sooner when injured off the job. Trying to make the WFI stay current and evolve is a constant challenge to provide the best service for the benefit of the members participating. In the fall of 2009, PMFR hosted the first IAFF/IAFC/ACE Peer Fitness Training Certification course in British Columbia, with the help from instructors from Calgary Fire Department and FDNY. The goal of the course was to help other IAFF locals implement their own programs. 

Snohomish County Fire District 1, WA

Starting in 2002, District One started a five year plan to implement the Wellness-Fitness Initiative into their Fit for Fire program.  They have now implemented all components of the WFI and it is mandatory by the Collective Bargaining Agreement.   Data is still the hardest component to address and this is the last area they are trying to fully capture.  District One has been able to find efficiencies in the budget by tying in other services of the wellness program that are already provided by the agency in other respective budgets, i.e. immunizations, exposure control, hazmat medicals, etc. 

SCFD set a long range plan asking for most of the capital over the five year implementation phase.  They insisted on yearly medicals from the start and received them by education their elected officials that not only was it in the best interest of the fire fighters, but that it was the best risk control measure they could take in trying to follow industry standards that the WFI and NFPA 1582 has given the fire service.