Directive 37

• This document is Directive 37 from the Philadelphia Fire Department, issued in March 2019, addressing the Health and Wellness Program
• Firefighters must be medically and physically fit to handle job stressors
• NFPA 1583 guides the department-wide Health and Wellness Program, coordinated with Local 22 Philadelphia Firefighter and Paramedic Union’s Health Plan
• The program focuses on firefighting functional fitness including strength/conditioning, injury/weight reduction, nutrition, and health education

Member Responsibilities

• Each member must be physically, medically, and mentally prepared as a Philadelphia firefighter, paramedic, or EMT
• Members can request a Trainer Request Form from their officer for personal training, consultation, or group fitness
• Forms aid in accessing resources for Local 22's Health Plan goals and can be found at www.pfmfitness.com or via email at [email protected]
• Confidentiality is key, and personal data requires member consent before sharing
• The Health and Wellness Program is not punitive

Resources

• Local 22 Health and Wellness can be contacted at 215-440-4400, -4433, -4426, or -4418
• Philly Fire’s Motivated Fitness website is www.pfmfitness.com
• The Health and Safety Office can be reached at 215-685-8971

Company Officers

• Company Officers must use the Health and Wellness Program to assist firefighters, paramedics, or EMTs with physical or mental difficulties
• Philly Fire’s Motivated Fitness offers a Trainer Request Form for each company, submitted to the Health and Wellness Director via [email protected]
• A Motivated Fitness Trainer will respond to the officer/member within 72 hours
• Company Officers should know this chapter and Local 22 Health Plan’s Peer Fitness Training Program Standard Operating Procedure

Philly Fire's Motivated Fitness Trainers

• Philly Fire’s Motivated Fitness Trainers are Peer Fitness Trainers, per NFPA 1583
• Trainers follow Local 22 Health Plan’s Peer Fitness Training Program’s Standard Operating Procedures
• Peer Fitness Trainers offer exercise leadership through guidance and supervision in regular fitness programs and set up individual programs upon request
• Trainers visit each station and platoon twice a year to educate Philadelphia Fire Department members on Local 22’s Health Plan
• They cover physical aspects like personal training, group fitness, strength/conditioning, functionality, and lifting technique
• Also, educational aspects like nutrition, weight loss, injury reduction, cardiovascular conditioning and muscular endurance

Additional Trainer Responsibilities

• Peer Fitness Trainers ensure all companies in their battalions get Philly Fire’s Motivated Fitness’ S.O.P and Trainer Request Forms
• Philly Fire’s Motivated Fitness Trainers keep data from Philadelphia Fire Department and Local 22 Health Plan members confidential

Fitness Program Managers

• Fitness Program Managers oversee all training by Peer Fitness Trainers in their divisions
• Fitness Program Managers adhere to Local 22 Health Plan’s Peer Fitness Training Program’s Standard Operating Procedures
• Philly Fire’s Motivated Fitness is divided into North, South, East, and West divisions
• Each Fitness Program Manager oversees Motivated Fitness Trainers in their division to help Philadelphia Fire Department members reach their Health and Wellness goals

Health and Wellness Director Responsibilities

• The Health and Wellness Director manages Philly Fire’s Motivated Fitness, Fitness Program Managers, and Motivated Fitness Trainers daily
• The Health and Wellness Director works with Local 22’s Health Plan Administrator, the Philadelphia Fire Department’s Health and Safety Officer, and the City of Philadelphia’s Health and Wellness Committee

Additional Director Responsibilities

• The Health and Wellness Director helps the Fire Academy in establishing, maintaining, and conducting cadet physical training
• With the Fire Academy Deputy Chief’s approval, the Health and Wellness Director helps maintain physical education and training so cadets can maintain a healthy career, as per NFPA 1583
• The Health and Wellness Director follows Local 22 Health Plan’s Peer Fitness Training Program’s Standard Operating Procedure
• The Health and Safety Office is the Fire Department’s Liaison with the Health and Wellness Director for an effective program
• The Health and Wellness Director can request Philly Fire Motivated Fitness Trainers be detailed to the Health and Safety Office if the Deputy Commissioner of Operations approves

General Information

• Physical fitness is essential for firefighters, paramedics, and EMTs’ health, well-being, and job performance
• Fitness Training during work hours is allowed, if it doesn't interfere with daily duties

Required Forms

• Trainer Request Forms are at each station or on Philly Fire’s Motivated Fitness website
• Client Intake Waivers are required for all members in personal training and consultations
• A Boot camp Liability Waiver is required for large or small group fitness by Motivated Fitness Trainers

References

• LOCAL 22 PHILADELPHIA FIREFIGHTER AND PARAMEDICS’ UNION HEALTH PLAN PEER FITNESS TRAINING PROGRAM, S.O.P.
• NFPA #1583: STANDARD ON HEALTH-RELATED FITNESS PROGRAMS FOR FIRE DEPARTMENT MEMBERS
• PHILLY FIRE’S MOTIVATED FITNESS WEBSITE – www.pfmfitness.com