INJURY/REHABILITATION

Statistics show that fire fighting is one of the most dangerous occupations in the world. Lower back injuries and other sprains and strains account for more than 50 percent of all injuries. Injury prevention is paramount to reducing injuries in the fire service and improving personnel resistance to injuries. The cost of one worker lost due to preventable injury or illness is at least equivalent to two to four times their impacted salary. 

Rehabilitation programs can be in-house or outsourced. Regardless of the type of rehabilitation program that is chosen, several criteria must be met, including: a fire department physician who is familiar with job requirements and for fit-for-duty expectations, as well as current treatment methods for the most frequent job-related injury or illness for uniformed personnel; clinicians who are familiar with fire service job requirements and fit-for-duty expectations; a transitional duty program; periodic re-evaluation prior to returning to full duty; a personalized exercise prescription that considers job requirements and the individual's past medical history; and a comprehensive injury prevention program.

The elements necessary for a successful injury prevention/rehabilitation program are highlighted in the 3rd Edition of the Fire Service Joint Labor Management Wellness-Fitness Initiative. 

This section contains an overview of the various injury/rehabilitation components implemented by all of the participating departments.

To view individual components that can be exported to an Excel spreadsheet, click the links below:

FIRE SERVICE JOINT LABOR MANAGEMENT
WELLNESS-FITNESS TASK FORCE

Austin, TX
Calgary, AB
Charlotte, NC
Fairfax CO., VA
Indianapolis, IN
Los Angeles Co., CA
Metropolitan Dade County, FL
New York City, NY
Phoenix, AZ
Seattle, WA

NON-TASK FORCE CITIES


Carrollton, TX
Council Bluffs, IA
Lewiston, ME
Mesa, AZ
Narragansett, RI
Orange County Fire Authority, CA
Portland Fire & Rescue, OR
Port Moody, BC
Prince George's Co., MD
San Diego, CA
Snohomish County Fire District 1, WA
 Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue, OR