Fire Service Health & Wellness What is it and why is it so important?
Firefighting has been recognized as one of the most hazardous
occupations in North America, in terms of occupational death and injury
statistics. These statistics compiled
yearly by the NFPA and USFA on Fire Service deaths and injuries are more than sufficient
evidence to demonstrate the need for increased efforts to reduce this toll.
With this
statistical evidence to support them, various governmental regulatory bodies
such as OSHA and the NFPA have instituted mandatory guidelines and regulations
that must also be fulfilled.
With the tragic
events that unfolded before the world on September 11, the fire service
sustained a tremendous loss when our brother and sister firefighter’s paid the
ultimate price while performing their job duties. We all know that no safety
procedure could have prevented their senseless deaths; no amount of physical
conditioning could have kept the buildings from collapsing down on them. As the
nations first responders we can expect that there will again come a time when
some of us will be called upon to get in harms way, and stay there until the
emergency is abated. Firefighters will always be the first on the scene of these
types of catastrophic events and will be subjected to events both small, and
large, such as the World Trade Center attack. These events may not be
preventable, as we will be left to deal with factors totally out of our
control.
There are
though, actions that we all can take, that we can implement, that can prevent
unnecessary injuries, illness' and Deaths. With the leadership of our Cities, Municipalities and Townships and that
of our Fire Departments, and of our Unions, we must all do our
part to make our chosen profession as safe as possible, and that will allow us
to lead productive healthy lives. In firefighting,
being physically prepared is as important as being mentally prepared and
adequately trained. When your department
leadership knows that everyone has the necessary physical capabilities to
perform the essential tasks on the fire ground, they have one less thing to be
concerned with, and can pay full attention to their work, ensuring the
communities safety.
Throughout the
fire service we would never think of operating any of our apparatus without a
preventive maintenance program, we check out our apparatus and equipment daily
to ensure that it will operate smoothly and safely when called upon. Likewise
we must also introduce a preventive HEALTH maintenance program for
ourselves as well. Regular physical
fitness programs, inoculations for Hepatitis B, influenza, Diphtheria, Tetanus,
Rubella, Mumps, and Chicken pox, along with the use of personnel protection
items such as rubber gloves, masks, and goggles help promote a higher level of
health and result in fewer injuries and prolonged illnesses.
Here at Firehouse Fitness we know that, when set up and
promoted correctly, your results in your Department will be similar to those programs already in
place and operating today. All
of your department members will display an increased emphasis on health
and fitness, they will begin to eat healthier and encourage each other
to work out and stay
fit.
It is now
apparent that Physical Fitness is only one aspect of a comprehensive and total
Health and Wellness Program. The vast
research into Wellness oriented programs has illustrated that certain health
problems are common throughout the fire service. Heart disease and cancer are
the leading causes of death among firefighters.
Although these diseases are also the leading causes of death among the
general population, they occur more often and at a younger age among firefighters. Most on the job Deaths are due to heart
attacks rather than injuries. Aside from
the typical risk factors associated with heart disease, such as smoking, high
blood pressure and high cholesterol, firefighters are exposed to additional
risks such as stress and carcinogenic chemicals. Among the most common types of cancer
experienced by firefighters are brain, colon, and prostate cancers.
The goal of all
successful Wellness programs is to keep employees medically healthy and
physically fit. We have shown that when the approach is
one of positive prevention, not lined with punishment for non-compliance. Fitness programs can and will
motivate firefighters to get fit and stay that way, and save
your department money through increased productivity and reduced medical
claims.
In the past,
most efforts in the development of fitness programs have been in the area of the
physical fitness process, “the Program”, and not on the end results. More effort was expended on making our
personnel follow a prescribed program, than in determining if they were
actually becoming more physically fit. We now realize that since our coworkers
come in all shapes and sizes, with varied athletic abilities, a regimented
program will not effectively meet everyone’s needs.
Today,
as we
still focus on mandatory fitness participation, we also need to be as
concerned that everyone is maintaining a high level of fitness rather
than if everyone follows a predetermined exercise script.
We also know that we need to
be taking a more pro-active approach, and paying more attention to the health of
those applying to enter the fire service and even those who have since retired
from active duty. It doesn’t make sense
to place so much emphasis on active members, without attempting to establish
better control of those who are at the beginning of their career, or to learn
from those who have since retired.
Prior to being
hired we now must put recruits through a complete health screening including a
historical background, and to ascertain their current health and fitness
habits. It makes good sense to hire
employees who already have good health and exercise habits, than to
attempt to instill these values years down the road.
Along the same
line of thought, we should continue to provide these medical and fitness
evaluations to our retirees. These
evaluations provide priceless information in making health and fitness related
decisions for our current employees.
Decisions made easier by knowing what long-term effects our work
environment, medical and fitness programs have had on previous workers.
Firehouse Fitness can assist you and your department in the development and implementation
of a comprehensive Wellness program that is both suitable for your
departments needs and yet responsive to your financial
constraints. Firehouse Fitness
can assist you and your staff on the implementing a program that meets
both of the recognized fire service wellness initiatives, or develop a
program that can start small and grow with your department and
capabilities.
We
will provide your department all the tools necessary to develop your
program Manual, and to keep your staff updated on industry trends and
advancements. My staff includes certified Firefighters as well as
fitness professionals with experience in the design and implementation
of programs to improve the Health of firefighters and reduce the
unnecessary development of career altering injuries or ilness.
|
