Firefighter Wellness/Fitness

Adam JacksonCPFR-PFT

Topics

IAFF/IAFC Wellness-Fitness Programs

Local Examples

Unions and Wellness-Fitness

IAFF/IAFC

History- 1996: Fire Service Joint Labor Mng. Wellness Fitness Task Force. 10 Departments

Dev. a holistic positive rehabilitating and educational approach to wellness and fitness

Three Programs Developed WFI CPAT PFT

WFI Components

1. Medical Design of a Physical

2. Fitness Program Design/Screens

3. Injury and Medical Rehab Injury Prevention Program Relationship w/ PT-OT

Components Continued

4. Behavioral Health EAP Substance Abuse

Relationships Finances

5. Cost Justification 8 Depts. 7yr. Study

Hours Lost: 28% decrease vs. 55% increase 1.33 million /yr. injury cost Health Care Cost

Components Continued

6. Data Collection Local Data

Individual Trends IAFF Database

Occupational Trend

7. Implementation Template Union

CPAT

Stair Climb Hose Pull Equipment Carry Ladder Raise Forcible Entry Search Rescue Drag Ceiling Pull/Breach

Peer Fitness Trainer

ACE Partnership Firefighter Specific 5 Day Course- 3 mo. Prep Host Class= 25 $800.00 12 hrs. CE/2 years Trainer not Expert

WHY?

Medical CVD: 50 vs. 22 Heart Attack 300x Cortisol= obesity/heart disease

Fitness Reduces CVD 50%: Diabetes 60%: Anxiety Increase Testosterone

Injury 50% retirements due to injury

Behavioral Biological Rollercoaster Possible vs. Probable

Data Injury Prevention saves $

CPFR Wellness Fitness

Functional Movement Screen Industrial Athlete Lifting Classes

A ranking and grading system, used to document movement patterns that are key to normal function

By scoring theses patterns, the FMS identifies functional movement limitations and asymmetries.

Movement limitations and asymmetries can reduce the effects of functional training, cause movement compensations, increase the risk of injury, and distort body awareness.

Functional Movement Screen

FMS and Firefighters

FMS < 15 $889,26387%

FMS > 14 $132,92513%

Cost of Injuries over3 year time frame

• Orange County Fire Authority• 113 Recruits• Academy 33 – 36• FMS = < 14 Cost of injury = 6

times greater

Tucson Fire Department 433 firefighters were screened Implemented 8 week core strengthening

program 44% decrease in injuries (yoy) 62% decrease in time lost (yoy) Seahawks, NFL, NHL, MLB

FMS and Firefighters

CPFR FMSWarm Up

Prescription-229

Industrial Athlete

Safe Lifting

Tools for safe lifting and movement, applicable to calls, workouts and

everyday activities. Central Pierce Fire and Rescue

Wellness and Fitness

Stick Test

Challenges

Cost Basic Gym $600.00

Attitude It will cause injuries

Culture Out to get us

Why the Union

Current Attitude Protect Minority ST/OT vs. advocate

Members Wellbeing Suicide vs. Fire Death Maintenance of FF vs. Truck

Insurance/Injury Cost Bargaining

Increase Member Involvement Care= Trust= Involvement

Resources Dan John: Strength Coach Gray Cook: Functional Movement Screen Dr. Kevin Gilmartin: Psychologist Dr. Sara A Jahnke: Center for Fire, Rescue

and EMS Health Research IAFF/IAFC: Wellness Fitness Initiative 3rd Ed. Orange Co. Fire Auth: Tucson FD Jeff Krekling: PFT Central Pierce Fire http://firefighterfactsnj.org/heartattack-risk

s https://www.iaff.org/hs/PDF/

HeartDiseaseManual_2013.pdf