| IAFF Local | Orange County Professional Fire Fighters Association, IAFF Local 3631 |
| District | 10 |
| Department | Orange County Fire Authority |
| Members | 850 All Career |
| Contact Information | Natalie Nacker [email protected] |
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 Labor Management Wellness-Fitness Initiative (WFI) in 2003. This comprehensive program incorporates the 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 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 |
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
| Method | Medical Information System |
| Data Collected | Data Report 2004-2008 |