How the Grant Has Helped:

One component of the wellness and fitness program, the annual physical assessment, has proven to be very valuable . . . assessments have uncovered a number of medical problems among the staff, including: Type 2 diabetes, hearing impairments, minor heart problems, high cholesterol . . . Several firefighters had aerobic fitness levels below what is required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration for safe use of respirators.

In 2001, the Golder Ranch Fire District won an Assistance to Firefighters grant to establish its first wellness and fitness program. The grant enabled Golder Ranch to develop and implement a comprehensive wellness and fitness program for the benefit of its 72 paid staff members and 17 volunteers, who are cross-trained to provide both firefighting and emergency medical services. Their program includes mandatory exercise periods, annual physical assessments, peer fitness trainers, peer support counseling, and a critical incident stress management team. The District also pays for health insurance for its members, whose ages range from 21 to 58, with the average age being 35.

One component of the wellness and fitness program, the annual physical assessment, has proven to be very valuable to individual members and the District as a whole. Golder Ranch paramedics administer EKGs and other tests to staff members and send the results to a physician for review. If the physician finds something unusual or that needs more attention, the staff member is directed to see a physician for a complete workup. The annual physical assessments have uncovered a number of medical problems among the staff including:

• " Type 2 diabetes (Two firefighters were discovered to have the disease. Both received aggressive medical and fitness interventions to stabilize the disease.)
• Hearing impairments
• Minor heart problems
• High cholesterol

A Golder Ranch firefighter undergoes an aerobic conditioning evaluation using a grant-funded StairMaster StepMill 7000. It has preprogrammed aerobic conditioning exercises. Each fire station has a StairMaster, which is also used to prepare firefighter candidates and recruits for the certified physical agility test (CPAT) and other fire service functional evaluations.

Members with heart problems were referred to a cardiologist for further testing and treatment, and some department members now wear hearing aids. Those with high cholesterol levels received nutritional counseling. Several firefighters had aerobic fitness levels below what is required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration for safe use of respirators. The staff members were reassigned temporarily to modified-duty status until they could bring their aerobic fitness levels up to the required standard. "The key to a successful wellness and fitness program is to have a duty policy," says Health and Safety Officer John Sullivan.

For the weight training side of their wellness and fitness program, the District purchased and installed at each of its four fire stations, two pieces of aerobic equipment and a universal gym. Each staff member is required to participate in 1 hour of physical exercise during his or her shift. In addition, they are recommended to perform 30 minutes of aerobic exercise during every shift. At one central station, an assortment of aerobic and rehabilitation equipment can be used, such as a stationary bicycle, treadmill, and elliptical trainer. At this location, a fitness trainer is available 24-7 to help members during their mandatory exercise sessions and monitor their progress toward fitness goals.

Story Index Page

Next Success Story >