| IAFF Local | Calgary Fire Fighters Association, IAFF Local 255 |
| District | 6 |
| Department | Calgary Fire Department |
| Members | 1,200 All Career |
| Contact Information | Ian Crosby [email protected] |
The Calgary Fire Fighters Association is the second-largest IAFF affiliate in Canada and represents fire fighters, apparatus technicians and maintenance staff.
Approach
The Calgary Fire Department (CFD) Wellness and Fitness program is not only changing behavior patterns in a few individuals — it is changing the culture of the entire department. This change is a result of the continuous commitment to conduct comprehensive medical evaluations, along with fitness assessments and healthy lifestyle counseling for all its personnel.
Because fire fighters face a high risk for a coronary episode, the CFD initiated an awareness and prevention program. The Wellness and Fitness division evaluated 526 department personnel using a cardiovascular screening tool from the American College of Sports Medicine. It is the departments belief that a comprehensive screening program, coupled with early intervention techniques, will help prevent the onset of this disease.
As part of the department’s efforts to stay current with emerging science, it has developed partnerships with various universities to conduct research projects that will continue to advance health initiatives in the fire service.
Physical fitness is critical to maintaining the wellness of the CFD’s uniformed personnel. The department’s commitment to providing the appropriate equipment, space, accommodation of on-duty workout time and access to Peer Fitness Trainers has been instrumental in developing the department’s wellness philosophy.
Medical
| Facility | In-House |
| Physician | Occupational Physician General Physician with special interest in sports medicine Family Physician |
| Additional Staff | Occupational Nurse Kinesiologists (3) Office Administrators (2) Wellness & Fitness Coordinator/FF |
| Exam Frequency | Annual |
| Exam Details | CFD Medical Details |
Fitness
| IAFF/IAFC PFT’s | 30 |
| Duties | Coaching/mentoring Recruit training Program design CPAT proctors |
| Exercise Time | 1.5 hours per shift |
| Exercise Program | Designed by PFT’s |
| Equipment | Full compliment (see list below) |
| Nutrition | Contract resources through EFAP services and other agencies |
PFT Description
Station Equipment List
Injury-Rehab
| Method | Contracted FMS screening during wellness |
| Modified/Light Duty | Yes |
| Injury Prevention Committee | No |
Behavioral Health
| Method | Contracted Facility and Physician – Dr. of Psychology |
| EAP | Yes |
| Stress Management | Yes |
Cost Justification
| Method | Track worker’s comp claims cost/savings and lost time of work hours |
Data Collection
| Method | Electronic Medical Information System (EMIS) Excel spreadsheet fitness tracking |
Health Questionnaire
Jackson Strength Norms
Vertical Jump Averages
Implementation
There are currently no links or files available for dissemination. For more information, see the contact listed above.
Miscellaneous
Health & Wellness Report