Health and Wellness Program (Hard)

Spring Fire Department Wellness Program

• The Spring Fire Department Wellness Program focuses on promoting and promoting the health and well-being of all Spring Fire Department members.
• Program objectives are to ensure that all members meet the physical demands of their assigned duties.
• The program, built on a non-punitive, incentivized model, includes components such as: nutritional counseling and/or education, fitness training, fitness assessments, annual physicals, and peer fitness trainer consultations.
• The program is based on recommendations from the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF), International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) Wellness-Fitness Initiative, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1582 Standard on Comprehensive Occupational Medical Program, and NFPA 1583 Standard on Health Related Fitness Programs for Firefighters.

Program Scope

• All members are required to participate in the SFD Wellness Program.
• Specifically, members who are subject to using SCBA (Self-contained Breathing Apparatus) are mandated to participate in all program components.
• Members not using SCBA (administrative staff, support staff, etc.) are still required to participate in the annual medical physical.

Program Components

• Annual Medical Physicals: Performed annually by a contracted health care provider.
  • The physical includes: a health risk appraisal, a hands-on exam, vital signs, pulmonary function test, hearing test, blood chemistry lab tests, and specific cardiopulmonary and cardiovascular assessments.
  • The health care provider will inform HR of the member's medical fitness for emergency operation duties.
  • If further evaluation is needed, the member will be referred to their personal health care provider.
  • Costs associated with referrals will be borne by the member.
  • If the contracted health care provider identifies a condition that may prevent safe performance of normal duties, HR will be immediately notified.
  • The health condition will only be disclosed to the member.
  • The health care provider will recommend a fit for duty evaluation before the member returns to duty.
• Annual Fitness Assessments: Conducted yearly, aligned with NFPA 1583 guidelines, during the annual medical physical.
  • Assessment components include muscular strength, muscular endurance, body composition, aerobic capacity, and flexibility.
  • Scores are age-relevant, categorized in 10-year increments, and assigned to one of five levels: Poor, Fair, Good, Excellent, and Superior.
  • Members achieving Good, Excellent, or Superior receive incentives.
  • Members scoring "Fair" or below are prescribed a 90-day exercise/nutrition regimen, developed by the WPC or a PFT.
  • Members work with a PFT throughout the 90-day period.
  • They undergo a follow-up fitness assessment.
  • If a member fails to achieve "Fair," they receive a new exercise/nutrition prescription and are assigned to a new PFT for another 90-day period.
  • This process continues until the member reaches at least a "Fair" score.

Wellness Program Coordinator (WPC) & Peer Fitness Trainer (PFT) Responsibilities

• The WPC is responsible for overseeing the Wellness Program.
• The PFT, a trained Fire Department personnel, provides fitness education, nutritional guidance, and fitness routines.
• The PFT will also:
  • Ensure the crew effectively utilizes the fitness training time.
  • Maintain a professional image at all times.
  • Coordinate with the Chief when a member's physical needs require them to remain in the first due response area or necessitate alternative arrangements.
• The WPC and the PFTs operate in a non-punitive capacity.

Fitness Assessment Details

• The fitness assessment consists of five components:
  • Treadmill - Bruce Protocol
  • Push Ups - Maximum repetitions in 1 minute
  • Sit and Reach
  • Low Plank
  • (Fifth component not described in the document)
• Point ranges for each category are as follows:
  • Superior: 450 - 495
  • Excellent: 400 - 449
  • Good: 300 - 399
  • Fair: 200 - 299

Treadmill Protocol

• The Bruce Protocol uses stages of increasing speed and incline every 3 minutes to assess fitness.
• Each stage increases the intensity of the exercise by approximately 10%
• The protocol ends when 80% of the maximum heart rate is reached, which can be calculated using the formula 220 - age

Push Ups

• The Push Up test measures upper body strength and endurance
• The protocol requires participants to perform as many repetitions as possible with proper form
• The test considers age and gender.

Sit and Reach

• The Sit and Reach test measures flexibility in hamstrings and lower back
• Participants should reach as far forward as possible with their legs straight while sitting on the floor, keeping their back straight
• Scores are based on age and gender.

Plank

• The Low Plank test measures core strength and endurance.
• Participants must hold a plank position with their elbows and forearms on the ground and the body in a straight line.
• Scores are based on how long participants can successfully hold the plank position.

Body Fat - Male

• Body fat percentage is determined by a three-point caliper test using the Jackson Pollock Formula.
• Scores are based on age and gender.
• Scores range from 5 to 99, with higher scores indicating a lower body fat percentage.

Body Fat - Female

• Body fat percentage is determined by a three-point caliper test using the Jackson Pollock Formula.
• Scores are based on age and gender.
• Scores range from 5 to 99, with higher scores indicating a lower body fat percentage.

The Spring Fire Department Wellness Program aims to enhance the health and fitness of all members. It includes fitness training, nutritional counseling, annual physicals, and peer consultations. The program is built on a supportive model informed by key industry standards and recommendations.