Fitness program, health screenings help prevent work-related injuries
St. Tammany Fire Protection District No. 1 has been named one of the "Safest 70" clients by the Louisiana Workers Compensation Corp., which insures more than 19,000 workplaces in the state. This is the third year in a row that the 1st District, which takes in Slidell and surrounding areas, has received the award that is based on claims and other variables for the previous five years.
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St. Tammany Fire Protection District No. 1 Chief Larry Hess was photographed at a Patriots Day event in Slidell on Sept. 11, 2009."Considering that we are in one of the most dangerous professions around, receiving the Safe 70 Award for three consecutive years is a tremendous achievement for all of us at Fire District 1," Fire Chief Larry Hess said this week. "Our dedication to firefighter safety isn't unique, but our results are extraordinary."
The 1st District saw a reduction in health insurance premiums totaling nearly $150,000 last year, and LWCC presented its leaders with a dividend check Tuesday for more than $33,000 - a direct reflection on lower claims among LWCC clients.
While the district considers safety at a fire scene paramount, the department also has a mandatory fitness program and annual health screenings for all employees. The combined effort not only reduces health care costs and insurance premiums, but helps prevent work-related injuries among firefighters, Hess said.
The 1st District pays a reduced membership fee for all employees to join Cross Gates Family Fitness near Slidell, and employees are allowed to exercise while on the clock as part of their jobs, Hess said. The fitness program costs the district about $15,000 a year, which is covered two-fold by the LWCC dividend check and represents one-tenth of the amount saved in health care premiums, he said.
"The most common disabler of firefighters is coronary artery disease," Hess said. "Mandatory exercise and health screenings reduce the occurrence of these conditions. On-scene injuries are often due to overexertion or strain on the joints. Consistent fitness programs help eliminate these problems, as well. Although there is a cost to these programs, the payoff is lower health, worker compensation and disability claims, which saves taxpayer dollars."
Christine Harvey can be reached at charvey@timespicayune.com or 985.645.2853.
