Health and Wellness Guide for the Volunteer Fire Service FA-267/January 2004 Mission Statement National Volunteer Fire Council Mission Statement To provide a unified voice for volunteer Fire/EMS organizations. This Mission will be accomplished by: • Representing the interests of the volunteer Fire/EMS organizations at the U.S. Congress and federal agencies. • Promoting the interests of the state and local organizations at the national level. • Promoting and providing education and training for the volunteer Fire/EMS organizations. • Providing representation on national standards setting committees and projects. • Gathering information from and disseminating information to the volunteer Fire/EMS organizations. U.S. Fire Administration Mission Statement As an entity of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the mission of the United States Fire Administration is to reduce life and economic losses due to fire and related emergencies, through leadership, advocacy, coordination, and support. We serve the Nation independently, in coordination with other Federal agencies, and in partnership with fire protection and emergency service communities. With a commitment to excellence, we provide public education, training, technology, and data initiatives. On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA’s continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages Citizen Corps, the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration. NVFC Health and Wellness Guide i ii NVFC Health and Wellness Guide Table of Contents NVFC AND USFA HEALTH AND WELLNESS GUIDE FOR THE VOLUNTEER FIRE SERVICE TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgements........................................................................................................... vii Executive Summary........................................................................................................... ix Programs from Across the Nation................................................................................ ix Developing and Implementing a Health and Wellness Program.................................. x I. Introduction .....................................................................................................................1 II. State of Health and Wellness in the Volunteer Fire Service..........................................3 Overview of Health Concerns of Volunteer Firefighters.............................................. 4 Cardiovascular Health............................................................................................. 4 Strains and Sprains.................................................................................................. 5 Stress Levels ........................................................................................................... 6 Weight Problems..................................................................................................... 7 Summary of the Importance of Health and Wellness ............................................. 7 Top Reasons Why Fitness Programs Have Not Worked........................................ 8 Overview of Major Fire Service Wellness Initiatives................................................... 9 NFPA Standards.................................................................................................... 10 IAFC-IAFF Wellness-Fitness Initiative................................................................ 10 U.S. Air Force Physical Fitness Program ............................................................. 13 III. Importance of Health and Wellness in the Volunteer Fire Service ............................15 Cardiovascular Disease............................................................................................... 15 NVFC Health and Wellness Guide iii Table of Contents Smoking ................................................................................................................ 16 Hypertension......................................................................................................... 17 High Cholesterol ................................................................................................... 17 Obesity .................................................................................................................. 18 Diabetes................................................................................................................. 18 Physical Inactivity................................................................................................. 18 Summary............................................................................................................... 19 Importance of Improved Strength and Flexibility ...................................................... 20 Ergonomic--Related Disorders ................................................................................... 21 Cumulative Trauma Disorders.............................................................................. 22 Back Disorders...................................................................................................... 23 IV. Volunteer Programs from Across the Nation .............................................................25 Overview of Current Health and Wellness Programs................................................. 25 Model Program Elements ........................................................................................... 27 Caldwell Fire and Rescue, Idaho: Participant Involvement and Facilitators........ 27 Carroll County, Maryland: Annual Medical Examination ................................... 27 Gates Fire District, New York: Record Keeping.................................................. 28 Chesterfield County Fire and EMS, Virginia: Individualized Programming ....... 28 Update on Programs from Previous Report................................................................ 29 Valdez Fire Department, Alaska........................................................................... 29 Plantation Fire Department, Florida ..................................................................... 29 Flossmore Volunteer Fire Department, Illinois .................................................... 30 Gates Fire District, New York .............................................................................. 30 iv NVFC Health and Wellness Guide Table of Contents Howland Fire Department, Ohio........................................................................... 31 Chesterfield County Fire and EMS, Virginia ....................................................... 31 Lacey Fire Department, Washington .................................................................... 31 IAFC Funded Programs .............................................................................................. 32 Bernalillo County Fire Department, New Mexico................................................ 32 Hartford Emergency Services, Vermont............................................................... 33 Brodhead Fire Department, Wisconsin................................................................. 33 V. Development of a Health and Wellness Program for Volunteer Fire Departments.....35 Program Components.................................................................................................. 35 Regular Fitness Screenings and Medical Assessments......................................... 35 Fitness Program .................................................................................................... 37 Behavioral Modification Program ........................................................................ 41 Educating Membership ......................................................................................... 43 Screening Volunteer Applicants ........................................................................... 43 Program Administration.............................................................................................. 44 Health and Wellness Coordinators........................................................................ 44 Liability Exposure................................................................................................. 45 Funding Alternatives............................................................................................. 45 Incentives for Participation................................................................................... 49 VI. Implementing a Health and Wellness Program ..........................................................51 Department Planning and Assessment........................................................................ 51 Creating the Vision ............................................................................................... 51 Implementation Steps............................................................................................ 51 NVFC Health and Wellness Guide v Table of Contents Data Collection, Analysis, and Evaluation ................................................................. 53 Evaluating Program Effectiveness........................................................................ 54 Appendix A: Health and Wellness Resources ..................................................................57 Appendix B: Relationship