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HomeMy WebLinkAbout95-148 x Resolution No. 95-148 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AND ESTABLISHING A PHYSICAL FITNESS PROGRAM FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ELGIN, ILLINOIS, that it is necessary and desirable to establish a physical fitness program within the City's Fire Department. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ELGIN, ILLINOIS, that there is hereby established a pilot physical fitness program within the Fire Department through July 31, 1998, as developed by the City' s Fire Department to be administered by the City's Fire Chief. s/ Kevin Kelly Kevin Kelly, Mayor Presented: July 12, 1995 Adopted: July 12, 1995 Omnibus Vote: Yeas 7 Nays 0 Attest: s/ Dolonna Mecum Dolonna Mecum, City Clerk • i ' ELGIN FIRE DEPARTMENT PHYSICAL FITNESS PROGRAM Following ratification of the 1991-1993 City of Elgin / Local 439 Firefighters Union contract agreement, which called for the implementation of a physical fitness program, the E.F.D. Physical Fitness Committee was formed. The job of the Fitness Committee was to research existing programs and assess the needs of the firefighters in the area of fitness and make a recommendation for the E.F.D. fitness program. The fitness committee complied numerous volumes of information detailing each of the following issues : A. Benefits vs . Liability B. Mandatory vs . Optional C. Physicals - Medical screening for baselines D. Equipment - Types of equipment and space requirements E. Scheduling - Conflicts with current work load, such as (` training, public education, fire inspections, E.M.S. responses and fire suppression. F. Funding - Funding for the start up of the program. After researching these main issues, we developed a comprehensive program which effectively addressed all of these issues except issue F. In order to implement the program, the program needed funding. In October of 1992, we submitted a decision package to request $45,000 for the program start up. We went to the City Council to seek support for our budget request and we were turned down. In October of 1993, we again submitted a budget request for the $45,000 start up funds and we were again cut from the budget. This year, after selecting a Foreign Fire Tax Fund Board, all members were asked to submit requests for funds. These requests were reviewed by the Foreign Fire Tax Fund Board. Two (2) requests were submitted and both requests were approved. The Physical Fitness Committee submitted a request for $60,000 (see next page for component cost breakdown) . 1 / ,. FOREIGN FIRE TAX FUND REQUEST The Elgin Fire Department Physical Fitness Committee is requesting funding for the start up of the new physical fitness program. As you are aware, the EFD has been trying to establish a comprehensive program for the last three (3) years, ever since the City agreed to include it in the City of Elgin / Local 439 contract. The committee has been turned down by the City for the last two (2) years for budget requests . Without any funding available, the committee has not been able to start up the type of program that would be beneficial to the members of the department. Therefore, we are asking the Foreign Fire Tax Fund Board to consider the needs of the members of the department and approve the following start up funds for the fitness program. Included is a brief description of the type of program proposed. The following list is a break down of costs per component. 1. $1,900 for the strikeforce sled used in the forcible entry portion of the Combat Challenge fitness assessment. 2. $700 for the drag-man dummy used in the rescue drag simulation portion of the Combat Challenge assessment. 3. $17,500 to purchase five (5) commercial grade multi-station - (Universal type) weight lifting units. One unit per station. 4. $23,000 to purchase 10 commercial grade pieces of aerobic equipment. Two (2) units per station. 5. $2,500 to send three (3) department members to the ARA Fitness Coordinators workshops as soon as they are available in this area again. 6. $2,000 to purchase various award and incentive materials (t-shirts, pins, hats, etc. ) for the members of the department as they achieve their prescribed goals. 7. $13,000 to provide baseline physicals and health risk profiles through the St. Joseph Hospital Occupational Health Department. Cost per member - $90 x 105 members = $9,450 Estimated follow-up diagnostics at Doctor's discretion, consisting of stress tests, E.K.G. , x-rays, etc. for up to 15 members at $237 each = $3,550. TOTAL REQUEST $60,000 2 • FIREFIGHTER RETIREMENTS 75 .5% Normal Service Retirements 16. 1% Line of Duty Injury Retirements 8 .4% Occupational Disease Retirements Occupational Disease - 51% Heart Disease Line of Duty Injury - 54% Back Injuries CURRENT EMPLOYEES ON DISABILITY Virgil Beard Knee Injury $ 2, 141 per month Ben Flynn Hip Injury $ 2, 185 per month Jim Sanders Back Injury $ 2,205 per month Charles Stuart Back Injury $ 2,571 per month Ken Henryson Back Injury $ 2,210 per month Lee Danhauer Back Injury $ 1,75.7 per month Rick Summers Back Injury $ 2,285 per month $15,354 per month Based on a 20 year life expectancy, this will cost approximately $4,000,000 . CURRENT WORKERS COMPENSATION CASES WITH DISABILITY POTENTIAL Richard Gross ( 1 year) Ankle Injury $ 2, 388 per month Dick Wilkening (8 mos) Back Injury $ 2,388 per month Bob Bradbury (2 mos) Back Injury $ 2, 388 per month $ 7, 164 per month Based on a 20 year life expectancy, this will cost approximately $1,900,000. **Average age of Firefighter going on permanent disability is 42 .5 . 3 BENEFITS * Reduced severity of injuries * Reduced workers comp. claims filed (reduced 47%) * Reduced lost-time days (reduced 35.8%) * Reduced workers comp. settlements (reduced 28%) * Reduced medical payments (reduced 59%) * Increased mental alertness * Increased efficiency on fireground and EMS scene DISADVANTAGES * Increase in number of injuries reported (up 20%) WHAT LIABILITY? Should we worry about the liability of a physical fitness related injury or * - The results and liability of not having a program in place? 4 • ELGIN FIRE DEPARTMENT PHYSICAL FITNESS The Elgin Fire Department has realized the importance of a physical fitness program for some time, but did not know where to begin such. a program with so many people of different levels of fitness . How do you involve everyone without making it a strictly regimented military model, which has everyone doing the same exact exercises, at the same cadence, for the same number of repetitions . This approach is good for the middle 50%, too hard for the bottom 25% and it is far too easy for the top 25%. This was a problem. So was deciding when we would work out, where we would work out, what we should be allowed to wear while working out and whether or not we would by allowed to respond in those workout clothes, whether or not the program should be mandatory and whether or not to require some minimal level of acceptable fitness standards . ON-TARGET PROGRAM During the search for an acceptable program, the Fitness Committee Cheard about a program being used successfully around the country by hundreds of fire departments . This program is called the "ON-TARGET" physical fitness program and it was developed by a company called ARA-Human Factors out of Burtonsville, Maryland. ARA-Human Factors was developed by Dr. Paul Davis who is an internationally recognized authority on the subject of fitness standards and equal opportunity employment issues. Dr. Davis is a former firefighter/paramedic from the Montgomery County, Maryland Fire Department. Dr. Davis received his doctorate from the University of Maryland in 1976 an then served as the project director of the landmark study funded by the U.S. Fire Administration, the first study to objectively quantify the physical performance requirements for firefighting. He has consulted with such organizations as the Navy, Army, Marine Corps, EEOC, IAFF, IAFC, the NFPA and the U.S. Fire Administration, and has recently been tasked by the U.S. Park Service to develop job-related standards for wildland firefighters . Dr. Davis appeared in more than 50 legal proceedings as an expert witness. He has appeared on behalf of such organizations as the U.S. Department of Justice, OSHA, EEOC, and the FBI, as well as many other state and local governments. Dr. Davis is a fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine and holds that organizations highest level. of certification as a Program Director and has authored over 100 publications dealing with his research on the relationship between human physical performance factors and health. As you can see from a small sample of Dr. Davis ' accomplishments, when we heard about the "ON-TARGET" program we decided to see what the "expert" had to offer instead of trying to reinvent the wheel . We sent a member of the Fitness Committee to the ON-TARGET physical 5 • fitness coordinator workshop in Orlando Park to find out more about the program and to see if it could work for us . I . Who will coordinate the program if the Elgin Fire Department decides to adopts the program? 1. The program would be run in house with at least two (2 ) coordinators or trainers on each shift. Currently, Tim Maroder has gone through the training program and is certified as a physical fitness coordinator. Tim could train several other members as fitness coordinators until the department can get them all through the ARA-Human Factors coordinators workshop for certification. 2. The program will have an administrative officer in charge of overseeing the program and checking with compliances . The fitness officer will meet with the coordinator to assist in scheduling of all fitness testing and evaluations . The officer will attend all coordinator meetings and will proof any memo' s or s .o.p. 's that may come out of these meetings. C 3 . Every member will be assigned a specific coordinator to work with. Any questions the member may have should be directed to this coordinator. If the coordinator can not answer the question, he/she should contact the program coordinator or the fitness officer for consultation. If an answer can not be found through this method, then the program coordinator will call ARA-Human Factors for assistance. II . How do we begin to find the baseline starting points for testing the current fitness levels of our members? 1. Each member will be scheduled to go through a health risk profile screening at St. Joseph' s Hospital through the Occupational Health Department. They will also receive a basic physical which includes body fat composition, blood work (cholesterol screening to include break down between LDL & HDC) , urine chemical dip, spyrometer test ( lung capacity) , general physical, physician evaluation and consultation. Each member will then return with a prescribed "level of physical fitness activity" clearance. This level will be used by the coordinator to determine what type will be used by the coordinator to determine what type of physical fitness program to prescribe for the individual . It also serves as a basis for a test to determine the members aerobic condition at the start of the program. 6 2 . When the determination has been made to test the member, choosing the level of activity to test the member at, is very important. If the subject is in reasonably good shape then having them go through the 1 .5 mile run would be a good choice. If the member has been leading a mostly sedentary lifestyle (this type of information should be extrapolated from the pre-screening interview) then the best test for this person is the 1.5 mile walk. 3. The coordinator will then evaluate the member to find out how flexible the member is, since diminished flexibility will result in possibly being more prone to injuries such as pulled and strained muscles which are one of our biggest causes of injuries . If it is indicated by the results of this test the coordinator will want to emphasize stretching exercises as a major part of this members fitness prescription. 4 . The final phase of the evaluation process will consist of the coordinator testing members muscle strength and muscle endurance. This will be done by having the members do various weight lifting exercises designed to isolate as ( many of the major muscle groups as possible. This will help to give the coordinator the information he/she needs to prescribe specific exercises for the different parts of the body. The coordinator will keep in mind that the evaluation must include evaluating muscle endurance as well as strength, since some people with exceptional strength may have inadequate endurance and may need to be counseled on how to improve this deficit with lower weights and higher number of repetitions . III . •Now that we've compiled all of this information, what do we do with it now? 1. The areas tested are the five (5) most vital areas to be assessed of firefighters. The five (5) areas broken down are as follows : A. Aerobic Fitness This is by far the highest priority when evaluating a member and deciding upon a comprehensive fitness prescription. B. Body Composition (percentage of body fat) C. Muscular Strength D. Muscular Endurance E. Flexibility 7 • r__ , Each of the components above is assigned a score according to what the member accomplished. The scoring system utilizes a target for reporting fitness test results . The closer you are to the center of the target, the higher your score - up to a maximum of 100 points . The components of fitness are weighed according to their importance to firefighting tasks. Again, aerobic fitness carries the highest weighed factor, while body composition, muscle endurance and strength are weighed slightly lower. Thousands of firefighters physical performances have been evaluated in developing the norms for the ON-TARGET program. When all of the numbers are in, the coordinator will then sit down with the member and they will set realistic yet aggressive goals for the member to work towards for the next evaluation cycle. The coordinator will prescribe exercise programs that place the most emphasis on the highest deficit areas. If a member scores in the 90% range for muscle strength and endurance, but is in the "mediocre" range for aerobic fitness, then the coordinator is going to ask that the member allot more of his/her workout time for aerobic work. The coordinator will put together a complete workout for the member C and then meet the member to go over the prescription with the member. The coordinator will also be expected to explain or demonstrate any of the exercises that the member is not familiar with. The coordinator will also include in the members prescription, recommendations for dietary changes if need be. This will include caloric intake recommendations along with explaining the importance of eating the right types of foods . It is very important when we are dealing with someone who needs to cut a fairly good amount of weight, that the member follow both the workout recommendations and the dietary recommendations, since the coordinator will base the weight loss and body fat reduction goals on reduced calories resulting from both exercise and proper diet. A healthy weight reduction plan does not include crash dieting or running for two (2) hours a day. We do not expect to see results overnight in most members, this is why our recommendations will be based on reaching a realistic goal over a 6-12 month period, not 3 or 4 weeks . The member is the one who is responsible for the commitment to make this program work. Although the methods are proven to be highly successfully it is not a magical prescription, that once in the members hands will make the member a lean mean machine. It is simply a tool for the member who is serious about getting in shape. If the prescription is followed, success is guaranteed. If the member chooses to ignore the coordinators recommendations, then this member is wasting the department's time and resources which have been instituted to provide that member with not only the ability to do his/her job more efficiently, but to allow them a better quality of life away from their job. We all know you can lead a horse to water but you can't make them drink. The success of this program will bear 8 < itself out through the desires and successes of the people who are really serious about getting fit. IV. Now that the members have their prescriptions in place, how do they know if they are making progress or if they are on track to reach their goals . 1. It will be the job of the coordinator to follow up with monthly contact with the member. The coordinator will be able to figure out whether or not the member is making progress and whether or not the progress is on schedule to meet the member's goal. If there is a problem, the, coordinator will make adjustments to the prescription. 2 . If at any time the member has a question or feels that they need to make a change in their workout routine he/she should contact the coordinator and ask for assistance, or inform the coordinator of any changes he/she has made. V. How often will each member be evaluated? 1. Depending on the deficit involved, the member will be tested and reevaluated at either 6 months or 12 months . 2 . Members who complete the Combat Test in five (5) minutes or less will have the option of passing on the remaining phases of the testing cycle. These people have obviously been doing a good job of keeping themselves in shape on their own. 3 . After each testing cycle, the coordinator and member will sit down for consultation even if it is just to establish a maintenance type of workout. AWARDS There will be an award incentive program which will be used to reward members of the department who successfully attain their goals . 9 I s ELGIN FIRE DEPARTMENT PHYSICAL FITNESS POLICY The EFD Administration, the EFD Local 439. and the City of Elgin Administrators recognize the hazardous and physical nature of firefighting. Further, it assumes responsibility for deploying a firefighting force that is not only well skilled, but also possesses the physical capacity to perform the arduous tasks of fire combat with efficiency and minimal risk. This department will not deploy an individual who is physically unfit to do the job. The sole purpose of the department physical fitness policy is to promote a high state of physical fitness among department personnel and put in place a system for insuring that every deployable individual maintains the physical ability to do the job as safely and efficiently as possible. THE CITIZENS WE SERVE, EXPECT AND DESERVE NO LESS. Purpose: The purpose of this policy is to develop a baseline level of fitness for each individual of the department and to develop a physical Ct fitness prescription for fitness maintenance, improvement or rehabilitation. This policy also will outline procedures for fitness assessments . Standard: It is the policy of this department that every individual strive to maintain themselves in a state of health and physical conditioning that will permit them to carry out basic fire suppression and EMS tasks efficiently and without undue risk to themselves or others. The department performance standard to demonstrate the desired acceptable level of physical conditioning is the successful completion of the Combat Test in a time of seven (7) minutes or less . There are no adjustments to the department physical performance standard for age, gender or duty position. Application: This policy applies to all department uniformed personnel required to wear SCBA, unless exempt for medical reasons. Medical exemptions will be reviewed by the department physician and approved by the Chief. Procedures: The Combat Test will be given for record two (2) times a year (at least six months apart) for all personnel according to a schedule developed by the Training Officer and published at the beginning of each year. 10 • • j + General physical fitness assessments, also a minimum of two (2 ) per year, will be at the discretion of the Fitness Officer and Fitness Committee and approved by the Shift Deputy Chief . The results of each assessment shall be forwarded to the department Training Officer for inclusion in individual fitness records . Official fitness records documenting each individuals performance will be maintained by the Training Officer on a confidential basis . General Fitness Assessments: At the discretion of the Shift Deputy Chief and under the supervision of the Fitness Officer, all personnel will undergo two (2 ) general fitness assessments per year. Each assessment will consist of evaluations of the five (5) components of fitness : 1. Aerobic Capacity 2 . Muscular Strength 3. Muscular Endurance 4 . Flexibility 5. Body Fat Composition Assessments will be conducted using protocols found in the ARA Fitness Coordinator' s Manual an the results forwarded to the Training - Officer for inclusion in each individual fitness record. The results of the fitness assessments will be the basis of individualizing physical training program. As previously stated, all fitness assessment data will be treated confidentially. Medical Examinations: All members will receive a baseline medical assessment through the St. Joseph Hospital, Occupational Health Department. Members will be scheduled to receive their physicals at St. Joseph Hospital by the Training Officer in conjunction with the Fitness Officer and approved by the Shift Deputy Chief . Results of medical physicals will be reported to each individual by the St. Joseph Occupational Health Department Physician through a consultation and a copy of a "Level of Physical Fitness Activity" recommendation from the physician will be forwarded to the Training Officer. As with general physical assessments, all information is to be treated confidentially. If follow-up testing is indicated, the Training Officer will work with the individual and Occupational Health Physician as necessary. Physical Fitness Training: Fitness training is considered fire suppression training and will be recorded as such on daily time sheets . Company officers will incorporate fitness training activities into the daily training program. All members will remain in service to respond to fire 11 suppression and EMS alarms while involved in physical fitness training. Company officers have the responsibility to schedule fitness training as they see fit, however, it is strongly recommended that it be conducted at the start of each shift, following shift change, and exchange of information and equipment inspection and/or maintenance. Responsibility for managing the duty schedule to allow quality time for fitness training lies with the Company officer. Participation in general physical fitness training sessions is strongly encouraged, but is mandatory for individuals who have not met the department's desired standard for the Combat Test. Participation in training exercises scheduled by the chain of command that involve fire suppression evolutions (drills) for the purpose of improving physical performance is mandatory for all personnel, including practice on the Combat Test. r_. 12 • IE:7 4 ` Agenda item No. ,: . 0.. \:, �G.V'!f/r i 1 C�- May 18, 1995 TO: Mayor and Members of the City Council FROM: Richard B. Heiwig, City Manager SUBJECT: Physical Fitness Program PURPOSE The purpose of this pilot program is to: 1. Develop a medical baseline level of fitness for each fire department member. 2. Develop a prescription for fitness maintenance or im- provement based on the individual 's baseline. 3. Rehabilitate members following job related injuries which may encourage healing and restore the individuals to active duty. BACKGROUND National Fire Protection Standards as well as professional associations recognize the need for physical fitness . In 1993, both the City and Elgin Firefighters attested to this need in the 1994 to 1996 collective bargaining agree- ment. Through the efforts of the Human Resources Department, the Fire Chief's office and several members of the depart- • ment, an extensive exploration into the realm of Firefighter physical fitness took place. For three (3) years, Firefighters researched, explored and participated in physical fitness activities. It is a well known fact that Firefighters are hired fit for duty. It is also understood that maintaining that level of fitness over a career span exceeding 20 years ' requires assistance and com- mitment from the City. Just as valuable assets such as fire Ililik apparatus requires routine maintenance, so does its' City Firefighters. Brand new apparatus like Recruit Firefighters begin their tenure fit for duty. Their continued maintenance insures their longevity and maximizes their service life. - - . The pilot program we suggest will achieve these goals for our personnel. The type of program we have researched follows an employee from post offer medical to the day the employee retires after a long and credible service. This is a program which cannot be accomplished just on-duty or off-duty. It is a lifestyle prescription for health and fitness that a Firefighter will contend with during his/her tenure with the City. It is a mandatory program to ensure we deploy personnel physically fit and mentally prepared for service to our community. The Program The Elgin Fire Department Fitness Program will be based on a nationally accepted program called the "On-Target Program" . This program incorporates all of the criteria and tasks recom- mended by the National Fire Protection Association under their NFPA 1500 Firefighter Health and Safety publication. New Firefighters will be given a complete physical, along with being sent through a physical abilities series of tasks simulating typical fireground evolutions. The physician will then make recommendations for our Elgin Fire Department Certi- fied Fitness Trainers to establish a fitness prescription for that employee. The employee will be required to work on that prescription during shift/duty time and will be re-evaluated by a fitness trainer every six (6) months, at which time the prescription may be adjusted according to employee's new level of fitness . Current employees will receive a baseline physical and will also be asked to do job simulation tasks for their assigned fitness trainer. With the results of the physical abilities tasks and the recommendations of the physician, the trainers will again meet with the employee and prescribe a fitness program to be followed every shift/duty day. The employee will again be re-evaluated every six (6) months to make sure the employee is getting maximum benefits from his/her workout sessions. This cycle continues throughout the employee's career. This program does not require additional employees . We will handle everything in house with our own Certified Trainers. COMMUNITY GROUPS/INTERESTED PERSONS CONTACTED See attached sheet r • is FINANCIAL IMPACT Funds from the Foreign Fire Insurance Tax will supply the program needs. Foreign Fire Insurance Tax is imposed on all insurance compa- nies not incorporated in the State of Illinois and engaged in effecting fire insurance in the City of Elgin. A sum of two (2) percent of the gross receipts received from the fire insurance upon property situated within the City of Elgin is collected for the maintenance, use and benefit of the fire department. These funds are controlled by the Elgin Foreign Fire Insurance Tax Board. The Board is made up of five (5) Fire Department members. Four (4) of the members are elected from the Fire Department ranks and the fifth (5th) position is filled by the Fire Chief. General fund expenditures will be minimal and programmed with- in the Fire Department budget. Expenditures will cover medi- cal costs incurred from time to time as a result of medical evaluations. Compared to the current costs involved with workman's compensation claims, we expect a reduction in City expenditures in the years ahead. LEGAL IMPACT None. RECOMMENDATION It is our recommendation that Council approve and support the Fire Department's physical fitness program on a pilot basis . Allow us a proving ground over the next 36 months to report the program's effectiveness and benefit to the community. If at the end of this trial period we cannot justify our claims, we will abolish the program. If we justify our claims we will continue the program. The members of the Elgin Fire Department believe that main- taining a healthy body will help to foster healthy positive attitudes, build self confidence and have a positive impact upon every person's self esteem. It is this belief that has led the Elgin Fire Department members to become involved in the City of Elgin's "Kids at Risk" program. We will be working with the City's youth at an open gym every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night throughout the summer in eft. conjunction with the City Parks & Recreation Department. This will give the Elgin Fire Department members an opportuni- ty to interface with the City's youth as positive role models 4 M r. w r and emphasize the importance of being physically fit and building self esteem and team work habits. Respectfully submitted, !'jL'^ 4- /A(L t 2,4e,t L John E. Henrici Fire Chief • 1 t�. Richard B. Helwig City Manager Olufemi ola 'n Human Re rce Director CLK/st r r ' • ) ♦` i COMMUNITY GROUPS/INTERESTED PERSONS CONTACTED Elgin Association of Firefighters Local #439 Elgin Fire Department Staff Officers Elgin Fire Department Physical Fitness Committee Managers Task Force on Physical Fitness Muran and Associates, Consultants Healthcare Management Sherman Hospital St. Joseph Hospital Illinois Fire Chiefs Research Foundation. A.R.A. Human Factors, Burtonsville, MD International Fire Service Training Association International Society of Fire Service Instructors International Association of Fire Chiefs International Association of Firefighters Journal of Occupational Medicine United States Fire Administration/National Fire Academy National Fire Protection Association National Institute of Health American Heart Association/American Heart Journal Phoenix, Arizona Fire Department Tulsa, Oklahoma Fire Department Indianapolis, Indiana Fire Department Seattle, Washington Fire Department San Francisco, California Fire Department Alexandria, Virginia Fire Department Fire Department of New York Orland Park Fire Protection District Mount Prospect Fire Department DeKalb Fire Department Aurora Fire Department Lincolnwood Fire Department Des Plaines Fire Department Lake Zurich Fire Department Bloomington, Illinois Fire Department