| IAFF Local | Port Moody Fire Fighters, IAFF Local 2399 |
| District | 6 |
| Department | Port Moody Fire Department |
| Members | 48 career (combination department) |
| Contact Information | Rod deBoer [email protected] |
Approach
In 2006, members of the Port Moody Fire Rescue (PMFR) and Port Moody Fire Fighters, IAFF Local 2399, acquired the necessary education to begin implementation of the IAFF/IAFC Joint Labor Management Wellness-Fitness Initiative. The goal is to improve the wellness and fitness of their members, as well as contributing to the overall effort to improve the fire service as a whole. It is the goal of the PMFR to promote fire fighter health and fitness through fitness assessments, counseling and exercise. The program helps ensure job preparedness through participation in a validated assessment of physical job functions and promotes medical health through tracking of voluntary compliance to suggested medical examination schedules. The program was up and running in 2009.
Medical
| Facility | No department facility |
| Physician | General Physician with special interest in fire fighting Family Physician |
| Additional Staff | N/A |
| Exam Frequency | Annual |
| Exam Details | Physician follows WFI medical exam as close as possible. Medical Service Plan (MSP) will cover certain parts of the medical exam if doctors have a reason to test. Currently, working with the City to provide a budget to cover parts of the medical exam for which the doctor feels members should be tested. |
Fitness
| IAFF/IAFC PFTs | 6 |
| Duties | Basic exercise counseling Fitness assessments Facilitate wellness/fitness education |
| Exercise Time | 1.5 hours per shift |
| Exercise Program | Personal aerobic and circuit training TWIST Sports Conditioning Series |
| Equipment | Both stations are equipped with aerobic equipment (treadmill, elliptical and stationary bike) Nautilus machine, dumbbells (10lb – 70lb), Bosu board, balance board, stability balls and medicine balls |
| Nutrition | Education by PFT’s on their respective shifts |
Injury-Rehab
| Method | An employee out of work for more than four days (block) due to injury or illness must receive a medical clearance from their attending physician with no indicated or implied physical restrictions. |
| Modified/Light Duty | Yes – Coordinated by Operations Chief |
| Injury Prevention Committee | Health and Safety Committee |
Behavioral Health
| Method | EAP Program Fire Department Padre available 24 hrs/365 days |
| EAP | EAP Program managed by Interlock |
| Stress Management | CISM handled by Fire Department Padre |
Cost Justification
There are currently no links or files available for dissemination. For more information, see the contact listed above.
Data Collection
| Method | Collect annual performance assessment, fitness assessment, and functional movement screening Medical information is kept confidential by Physician |
Implementation
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.