Designing and implementing a wellness program for your organization
Step by Step instructions
Establish a Wellness Committee: This acts as a motivating and supportive body of diverse people who can offer leadership and advice. With this committee you can review procedures, standards, and decide on a plan of action. Who should be on the committee
Research your departments on the job injuries:
Use risk management to provide the information of the number of your departments preventable on the job injuries and the cost assoicated.
National studies of fire department wellness programs show that a proactive wellness program can reduce OJI's by as much as 60%. That doesn't include sick leave, lost time, or the cost of a death.
Here is an example of a 5 year comparison. Look at the total claims vs. the limited claims and you will notice that the vast majority of on the job injuries are preventable type injuries and the cost associated with these claims is huge. Example OJI 5 year
Decide on a budget: After you figure out what resources are available to you, you will be able to develop a budget that is suitable for your department. This will allow you to make the most out of what you have. (also see the Money Matters section for information on justifing your wellness program)
NFPA suggests a phase-in period: This allows for time to establish internal and external support, establish a budget and time to develop all the components. See NFPA summary
- Establish a Wellness & Fitness Coordinator position
- First year strategic suggestions: 6. Strategy
- Buy the equipment for the physical fitness assessments (PFA) and start performing the PFA on new hires.
- Also see Standard Operating Guidelines (SOG) Suggested SOG's
Presentation to managment: Gaining support from management is essential to building a successful wellness program! - Involvement in the planning process
- Support for the budget and for time given to the wellness program
- Distribution of funding for the wellness program
- Participation in wellness events
- Distribution of a letters of support for the program
- Flexibility in employees schedules to accommodate wellness activities
Research the available resources: Resources needed will depend on your department’s specific needs and criteria. Defining your resources is important in your ability to carry out the proposed program.
Provide Annual medical physicals: NFPA suggests annual medical physicals. Do you have a County Health Dept. or do you need to consult out for services?
Safety equipment for your employees.
Physical Fitness Assessments and Physical Agility Testing: see Suggested SOG'sfor list of equipment, also see IAFC - Decide if you want to use physical fitness testing and/or physical agilty testing.
Materials and Supplies: These are all the items needed for the success of the program.
Peer Trainers: These people are certified members who can assist with fitness training of individuals, fitness assessments, physical agility tests and should hold regular meetings and classes to promote ongoing educational fitness programs. Also see IAFC for certification information.
Offer Incentives, incentives keep employees motivated by providing goals and rewards: Incentive ideas
Fitness equipment: This includes cardiovascular equipment, weights, yoga/exercise mats, elastic resistant tubes, medicine balls, and resist a balls. (Also see Fitness Center for a complete list of fitness equipment)
Facilities: Space for a gym, equipment, or a training room. It would also include an area for a staff office.
Obtain input from employees: Asking employees about their needs and interests increases the chances of "buy-in" and that they will participate in wellness activities: Sample Internal Questionaire Benefits of conducting a needs assessment provides employees with:
Initial information necessary for the design of the wellness program
A sense of ownership for the wellness program
Excitement for the wellness program
Developing a program that will fit all of their needs and in return be more successful
Getting them to think more about their own personal health
Providing the information on how important it is to be healthy
Document what you do: Keeping accurate records of fitness assessments scores, health assessments, and physical ability tests are your proof that the program is working.
Over time you should see an improvement in fitness levels, reduced sick leave, and fewer preventable accidents.
This all means that there is less money spend on injuries and lost time.
Use Access database or excel spreadsheets to create a database and then you can provide results and evaluate if your program is working.
An example of a year of fitness assessment records: 2002
Based on research, these documents can be used to help to justify your program:
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