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National Fire Fighter Near-Miss Reporting System update: It wasn't just a funny little beat
by Amanda McHenry
An excerpt from this week's National Fire Fighter Near-Miss Reporting System report appears below. It closes out the three part series tied to the 2008 Fire/EMS Safety, Health and Survival Week: Committed to Long-Term Results. 08-091 points to the value of two of the most firefighter focused programs in the industry, the IAFF Wellness-Fitness Initiative and NFPA 1582, Standard on Comprehensive Occupational Medical Program for Fire Departments. www.firefighternearmiss.com contains several additional reports that underscore the value of a comprehensive medical screening program and a personal commitment to good health.
"Department member was participating in annual physical. Physical consists of comprehensive program as outlined in the IAFF Wellness-Fitness Initiative and follows NFPA 1582: Standard on Comprehensive Occupational Medical Program for Fire Departments. Abnormality noted during cardiac evaluation&confirmed to have significant problem requiring immediate surgical intervention. Surgery was..."
The value of comprehensive health and fitness programs for firefighters is indisputable. Oftentimes small changes in lifestyle are the building blocks to the long term results that this year's Safety, Health and Survival Week are trying to inspire. Therefore, the individual has a role at least equal to the department when it comes to improved health and longevity. The formal implementation plan of any thorough wellness-fitness initiative can be expensive for a fire department. However, many departments have been successful in executing comprehensive plans through staggered implementation, seeking grants, and inspiring personnel to implement lifestyle changes on their own. The department alone can't be expected to be the only one to make an investment. Consider the following:
1. How would you describe your overall wellness-fitness level (Excellent, Good, Fair, Poor)?
2. How would your performance improve by moving from "Poor" to "Fair," "Fair" to "Good," etc.?
3. What do you do (individually or collectively) to support the department's efforts to improve wellness-fitness?
4. How much thought goes into the health aspects of meal preparation for your shift/group/crew?
5. When was the last time you included exercise into your time at the station?
Tell us your wellness and fitness near miss. Your survivor story will inspire others to take better care of themselves and may just be the report that helps another fire department get the boost it needs to get its wellness-fitness program off the ground.
Note: The questions posed by the reviewers are designed to generate discussion and thought in the name of promoting firefighter safety. They are not intended to pass judgment on the actions and performance of individuals in the reports.
