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FFD Fitness/Wellness Proposal

IAFF Local 1426Safety Committee

Commissioned June 5, 1999Presented July 26, 2004

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Side Letter of Agreement

by and between the Town of Fairfield and the International Association of Fire Fighters,

Local 1426Both parties agree to open the contract specifically and exclusively to make the following language change to “ARTICLE XXXIX – HEALTH”, Section 5 and new Section 6; all existing language shall remain. The Town and the Union agree that both parties will reevaluate this program after a six-month period. Either party may request a reopener of Section 6 at that time.

ARTICLE XXXIX – HEALTH

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NEW LANGUAGESection 5 The Town shall provide and pay for a complete baseline physical examination deemed acceptable to both the Town and the Union in accordance with AMA standards by a physician selected by the Town. The Town shall pay…Section 6 Effective August 1st, 2004, the Town shall provide and pay for the Fairfield Fitness/Wellness Program as agreed upon with the Union, to include the SHU Wellness Program administering individualized assessments and exercise/wellness prescriptions, as well as reassessment after twelve weeks, for all members of the bargaining unit; said training program shall be mandatory and non-punitive. Prior to the start of the program each member shall receive a complete baseline physical exam deemed acceptable to both the Town and the Union per Section 5 above, and be medically cleared to participate in the program; they will be sent on duty to receive their physical, and the Town shall be notified only of the member’s fitness for duty.

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Effective September 1st, 2004, each day shift will have time scheduled for physical training; on two of the three days one hour will be set aside for "In House" mandatory physical training, and the remaining day will have a one hour physical training session at the YMCA per Section 2 above. SHU staff will provide periodic evaluations and Fitness/Wellness seminars on an ongoing basis at SHU or the Elias Fire Training Center during scheduled training hours. A department wide evaluation report will be sent to the Chief's office so the progress of the program can be tracked; only the overall program will be evaluated, and no names or individual results will be contained in this report.

OLD LANGUAGESection 5 The Town shall provide and pay for a complete physical examination annually by a physician selected by the Town. The Town shall pay the…Section 6 No existing language.

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Physical Exams

• Extensive Exam • “Fit for Duty”

Certification• Rehabilitation

Plan

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FFD Annual Physical Exam Checklist

• Info: Name, Date, DOB, Age, HazMat Team Member• Eval: Medical/Occupational/Exposure History, H/W/BP• Exam: Pulse, Resp, Temp, Skin, EENM&T, Systems

(Cardio/Resp/Gastro/Genito/Endo/Musc/Skel/Neuro)• Diag: Audio, Visual, Urine, Blood (CBC & Chemistry),

EKG, Chest X-Ray, Spirometry, Hemocult, TB, PSA• Inoculations: Hepatitis A&B, Influenza, Tetanus,

Diptheria, Rubella, Measles, Polio, Mumps (Immunity)• Stress Test as ordered by MD

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Fit for Duty Certification

Date_______________Name____________________ “Fit For Duty” This individual is fit to perform his/her normally assigned duties___ “Not Fit For Duty” This individual is NOT fit to perform his/her normally assigned dutiesDoctor, Please initial the proper fitness classification

and sign below.Examining Physician_____________________________

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Not Fit For Duty

Rehab Plan FIRE DEPT PHYSICAL

RETIREMENT

APPEAL

MD REEVAL

REHAB

ADM LEAVE

DPW/BOEFD ADMIN

ON DUTY

Fit For Duty

Fit For Duty

Not Fit For Duty

Fit For Duty

Not Fit For Duty

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Physical Exam Benefits

• Ensures Fitness for Duty of All Members

• Catches Medical Conditions Early• Rehabilitation Planned For• “Administrative Leave” – Not SL, IL, etc• Supports Workers Comp Claims• Documents On-Duty Injuries/Exposures• Already Working (HazMat Techs)• Currently Vulnerable w/No Rehab

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Physical Exam Risks

• No OT During Administrative Leave• Difficulty Proving Appeal w/Own

MD• Discovering Medical Conditions• Unwanted Transfer to

Admin/DPW/BoE• Forced Retirement (v LODD)

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Fitness/Wellness Program

WellnessWellness

Diet & Nutrition

Diet & Nutrition

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Exercise Benefits Str

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Diet/BodyDiet/Body

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Exercise

Re-AssessmentRe-Assessment

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Evaluation

Evaluation

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Assessment Tests

• MD Referral/Physical Exam• Informed Consent• Medical History• Risk Factors• Resting Data: HR & BP• Individualized Test Selection

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Assessment Tests (cont.)• Exercise Tests:

– Treadmill, Bike or Step– Long-jump, Sit-up, Push-up or Wall-sit– Flexibility (Sit & Reach)

• Diet & Body Composition Tests:– 3 Day Food Diary– Body Mass Index– % Body Fat

• Perceived Stress Test (DUKE Health Profile)

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Exercise Prescription

• Target Heart Rate• Target Intensity• Type of Program:

– Aerobic– Weight– Stretching– Tailored to Individual Needs

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Wellness Program

• Health & Wellness Counseling– Interpretation of Diet & Perceived Stress– Referral to Dietician/Counselor as Needed

• 3 Educational Seminars– Benefits of Exercise– Stress Management Techniques– Diet & Nutrition

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Re-Assessment

• Assess Outcomes• Evaluate Personal Goals• Establish New Goals As Needed• Continue to Provide Health &

Wellness Education As Needed

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Fitness Program Conducted By

• Director of Program• Registered Dietician• Stress Management Counselor• Qualified Health Care Providers

(Exercise, Stress & Diet Seminars)• SHU Trainers

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Fitness Program Benefits

• Improved Fitness & Flexibility• SHU Trainer Assessment & Evaluation• Individually Tailored Fitness Program

& Dietary Recommendations• Educational Seminars on Exercise,

Diet & Stress• Ongoing Departmental Fitness

Training

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Fitness Program Risks

• None (Non-Punitive)

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1995 Contract Proposals: L1426 Safety

Comm 1. Implementation of NFPA 15002. Annual Medical Exams for All Fire Fighters3. SCBA Mask/Regulator & Radio for All FF4. Serious Fitness Program: Facility, Nutrition,

Trainer5. Lieutenant on E4 & L26. OSHA 2 in/2 out: 4 Persons Dispatched to IDLH7. PC Aide Job Description8. Max 12-year-old Front Line Apparatus (15

Reserve)9. FD Safety Committee Chaired by Safety Officer10. Minimum of 6 Training Days per Year