Wellness_and_Fitness_Program.pdf

Policy 1021 Chesapeake Fire Department Policy Manual Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/04/01, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department Wellness and Fitness Program - 1 Wellness and Fitness Program 1021.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE The purpose of this policy is to es...

Policy 1021 Chesapeake Fire Department Policy Manual Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/04/01, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department Wellness and Fitness Program - 1 Wellness and Fitness Program 1021.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE The purpose of this policy is to establish the guidelines for the Wellness and Fitness Program that will assist members in developing greater stamina and strength; decreasing the risk of injury, disability or death from disease or injury; improving performance; increasing energy; and recovering more quickly from strenuous and exhaustive work. This policy will also provide guidance for the administration of the Wellness Fitness Initiative (WFI) Annual Fitness Assessments for all members of the Fire Department. 1021.2 POLICY It is the policy of the Chesapeake Fire Department that the wellness and fitness of its members are an organizational priority. National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) standard 1582 and 1583, the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) and International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) Fire Service Joint Labor Management Wellness-Fitness Initiative (WFI) should serve as a best practice model program for members. All full-time uniformed members shall participate in a mandatory, annual, confidential fitness evaluation. The results of the evaluation will become part of the member's medical file. 1021.3 PROGRAM COMPONENTS 1021.3.1 FITNESS EVALUATIONS All firefighting members shall have an annual fitness evaluation consisting of an assessment questionnaire (developed by a qualified health care professional or best practice standard) and testing to evaluate both immunization and disease screening, a fitness assessment, as well as physical fitness and conditioning. 1021.3.2 IMMUNIZATION AND DISEASE SCREENING All firefighting members should have an annual immunization and disease screening to ensure all recommended vaccinations against work-related exposures are current and that members are free from work-related disease. Specific vaccinations and diseases should be identified by a qualified medical professional and may include: • Tuberculosis • Hepatitis C • Hepatitis B • Tetanus/diphtheria vaccine (booster every 10 years) • Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) • Varicella (chicken pox) • Polio Chesapeake Fire Department Policy Manual Wellness and Fitness Program Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/04/01, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department Wellness and Fitness Program - 2 • Influenza • H1N1 • HIV 1021.3.3 FITNESS ASSESSMENT COMPONENTS Members are require to be medically cleared for duty by the City's Occupational Health Physician during their last annual physical to participate in the fitness assessment. Members shall report to the designated fitness assessment site, as scheduled by their Battalion Chief (or designated officer), wearing appropriate Class D - physical fitness attire. Members that are prescribed Beta Blockers will complete their fitness assessment under the supervision of the Occupational Health provider and will be scheduled with their medical assessment. 1. Each member will complete a medical screening questionnaire, which will be kept with the assessment score sheet, prior to participating in the annual fitness assessment. 2. The fitness assessment is comprised of five (5) components that measure body composition, aerobic capacity, power, muscular strength and endurance, and mobility and flexibility. The protocols for measuring each component may be found in the Fire Service Joint Labor Management Wellness-Fitness Initiative. 3. All fitness assessment information will be secured in a password-protected site and in the individual member's medical file at the Occupational Health Office. Only approved Peer Fitness Trainers (PFTs) and the Health and Safety Officer (HSO) will have access to this information and no personal information will be shared without the member's approval. 4. At the completion of the fitness assessment, the participant will receive a complete report from the PFT with ratings on each of the eight (8) individual fitness tests and will receive an overall rating. Each participant that falls below twelve (12) Metabolic Equivalent of Tasks (METs) on the aerobic capacity shall be given guidance by the testing PFT on how to improve their cardiovascular capacity and overall fitness. These members, or anyone upon request, will be given a list of PFTs from which to choose to discuss and develop an exercise program designed to address the individual's assessment and areas of weakness. Participants will be referred to the Occupational Health Physician for further evaluation under the following conditions: o Participant falls below eight (8) METS on the aerobic capacity evaluation o Participant does not perform any/all components of the fitness assessment The employee may be sent back to work or placed on light duty by the physician, based on the findings and recommendations of the medical evaluation. Fitness for Duty paperwork will be completed by the Occupational Health Physician for the employee. Members not deemed "fit for Chesapeake Fire Department Policy Manual Wellness and Fitness Program Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/04/01, All Rights Reserved.Published with permission by Chesapeake Fire Department Wellness and Fitness Program - 3 duty" may be placed in a light duty assignment and report to the Health & Safety Officer for ninety (90) days and adhere to the following: • Members that fall under (8) METs and are taken off-line by the Occupational Health Physician will adhere to City of Chesapeake Administrative Regulation 2.04: Human Resources Department - Selective Duty Policy . The member will be assigned a PFT of his/her choice, and together they will develop an individualized wellness plan. • At then end of ninety (90) days, the employee will be re-evaluated with a second fitness assessment. If the MET is below eight (8) METs on the re-evaluation, the employee will return to the Occupational Health Physician for another assessment. • If the member is still not deemed fit for duty, the Occupational Health Physician will make a recommendation regarding the member's assignment to light duty for an additional 90 day period. At the end of this 90 day period the member will be re- evaluated. If the METs is still below (8) the member will return to the Occupational Health Physician for an evaluation and to develop a plan of action that is in the best interest of the member's health and safety. Department members will be provided learning tools for a healthy lifestyle through the Health and Safety Office. These tools will include information on all aspects of physical fitness, cardiovascular fitness, muscular fitness, nutrition, body composition, substance abuse prevention, managing stress, and lifestyle management. 1021.3.4 PHYSICAL FITNESS AND CONDITIONING A physical fitness and conditioning program should correspond to the physical movement patterns and aerobic capacity required in the performance of firefighter duties. The program should also provide fitness equipment in fire stations. The fitness and conditioning programmay be developed in coordination with a trained and certified fitness and conditioning trainer and should comply with the Physical Fitness Policy. 1021.3.5 PEER FITNESS TRAINERS Volunteers should be solicited to serve as peer fitness trainers (PFTs). Selected PFTs shall receive specialized fitness and conditioning training and education sufficient to pass certification requirements. PFTs will assist in the promotion of the Wellness and Fitness Program and be capable of assisting firefighters on a one-to-one basis to increase levels of fitness.