Fit To SurviveFit To Survive Fit To SurviveFit To Survive

Janet Woodside-Gomez, RN, MSN, PFTCertified Occupational Health Nurse, Peer Fitness TrainerPortland Fire & Rescue

GoalsGoalsGoalsGoals• Implement IAFF/IAFC Wellness Fitness

Initiative

• Develop and Implement an Injury Prevention Program

• Education for all levels of firefighters– Recruits– Incumbents– Officers

In the BeginningIn the BeginningIn the BeginningIn the Beginning• PHLAME Data

• Injury Data

• Firefighter Survey

• Small Wellness Budget

• In 2000-$35,000-Recumbent bikes• In 2001-$5,000-Fitness Testing Equipment, Software

• In 2003-$370,300-Exercise Equipment, Physical Exams, Peer Fitness Trainers

• In 2004-Nike Equipment-Balance/Strength• In 2005-$175,960 Elliptical Trainers• In 2006-$180,000 Equipment, PFTs • In 2008-2009-$410,000 Wellness Coord., Equipment,

Physical Exams

Funding for Funding for ProgramProgram

Funding for Funding for ProgramProgram

Policy & Other Policy & Other ChangesChanges

Policy & Other Policy & Other ChangesChanges

• G.O. 49 Recommended Exercise Time between 8am-5pm

• Standardized Fitness Equipment

• Exercise videos and handouts

• Wellness/Fitness TV Show

• Recruit Orientation

Mandatory TrainingMandatory TrainingMandatory TrainingMandatory Training

• Back Injury Prevention• Mandatory active warm-

up

Functional TrainingFunctional TrainingFunctional TrainingFunctional Training

Injury PreventionInjury PreventionTop 4 Firefighter InjuriesTop 4 Firefighter InjuriesInjury PreventionInjury PreventionTop 4 Firefighter InjuriesTop 4 Firefighter Injuries

Ankle Knee Shoulder

Low BackLow BackLow BackLow Back

Low Cost Effective Low Cost Effective ExercisesExercises

Low Cost Effective Low Cost Effective ExercisesExercises

• Varying Levels of Difficulty

• CDs to follow along

• Anatomy of Joints for Peer Fitness Trainers

• Understanding Firefighter Injuries

Fit To SurviveFit To SurviveFit To SurviveFit To Survive• Newsletter

• Core Performance Books

• Health/Wellness Manual

• ½ Time Wellness Coordinator

• Cookbooks

• Spinning Bikes/Classes

OutcomesOutcomesOutcomesOutcomesPHLAME Study: Injury Days Off (Self-report)PHLAME Study: Injury Days Off (Self-report)

160 158143

118111

95

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003

PHLAME SITE (687 FF): Reportable PHLAME SITE (687 FF): Reportable Injuries, 1998-2003Injuries, 1998-2003

Self-reported Exercise Self-reported Exercise LevelLevel

Exe

rcis

e H

abit

sE

xerc

ise

Hab

its

RESULTS ONLY ONE-ON-ONE TEAMRESULTS ONLY ONE-ON-ONE TEAM

Pre PostPre Post

Wellness is Worth Wellness is Worth the Effort! the Effort!

Wellness is Worth Wellness is Worth the Effort! the Effort!