Studies have repeatedly demonstrated that comprehensive worksite health promotion programs can lower health care and insurance costs, decrease absenteeism, and improve performance and productivity. As summarized by industry professionals, Larry Chapman (2006) and Kenneth Pelletier (1993), the majority of the peer-reviewed journals had positive health outcomes and of the programs that analyzed the cost benefits of such programs, they all showed a benefit.

West Metro Fire has enjoyed many of these benefits and others, including an improved ability to attract and retain firefighters that are interested in staying healthy and working for a progressive and energetic department, employee allegiance, improved public image of the organization, improved public and fire fighter safety, and, most importantly, an increase in the ability to save the lives of the tax-payer.

In a profession such as fire fighting, it is of the utmost importance they perform always at their best. Unfortunately, in the fire industry the cost of decreased performance can be as serious as the loss of life for the individual firefighter or the victim under their care. These benefits and concerns are driving fire departments across the country to implement wellness programs.

One question that continually surfaces in any organization is this: can optimal work performance be achieved without some form of a Wellness/Fitness initiative? Statistics say no. In the last three decades, heart attacks have been the leading cause of death for fire fighters. One third of all fire fighters are injured in the line of duty and the incidence of injury is 4.7 times greater than for workers in the private industry. 49% of all injury retirements incurred by firefighters are solely due to back injury. The bottom line is this; health related issues cost money. What is the cost to taxpayers and can these costs be reduced?

West Metro introduced a comprehensive approach to wellness in 1999. The focus was established using a cost/benefit analysis as opposed to a "feel good" departmental initiative. West Metro implemented many changes that did not necessarily "feel good" for most fire fighters in 1999. One example is standardized fitness testing.

Standardized tests produced information on the employee's ability to successfully perform essential job functions or face further evaluations and possible employment options. Fitness evaluations that placed careers on the line came with many programs and cultural changes to assist firefighters in meeting those standards. Cost savings fell in line with the cultural shift.

West Metro saved taxpayers over two million dollars over a seven year period by attacking workers compensation, administering standardized fitness testing, and implementing in-house rehabilitation. West Metro had an 83% reduction in compensable claims from 2007 to 2004 resulting in 378 fewer claims in the last three years as compared to previous years. Fewer claims led to dramatic reductions in workers compensation premiums. In-house rehabilitation minimized medical billing and lost time for the organization as fire fighters traveled to and from appointments. Ultimately, the return to work time for West Metro was reduced by 50%, which equates to dollars saved.

West Metro takes the typical public or private sector rehab model and replaces it with the professional sports rehab model. The injured worker conditions the entire body, not just the injured body part. The injured worker is also educated on diet, stress, body mechanics and many other essentials to maintain optimal health and work performance.

One example of this is: West Metro rehabilitated an ACL (Knee) repair in 90 days and a total hip replacement in 90 days. The estimated return to work time using the traditional model would have been 210 days for the ACL and 360 days for the hip. The surgeons who perform the surgery and monitor the rehabilitation process set these projections. However, the initial presumption is that the individual would be offered physical therapy once or twice a week for a pre-determined timeframe. West Metro rehabilitates these individuals five days a week while they are performing essential departmental modified duty jobs. The accelerated work times have huge cost savings to the department and taxpayer. They also cut the individual "return to work" times by four and nine months respectively. The labor costs saved on these two injuries alone saved over $100,000. West Metro handled over 200 cases internally between workers compensation injuries and health fund injuries that were rehabilitated in-house in the last three years.

West Metro produced these cost savings in spite of a rapidly aging population. In 1999, only five of 240 line firefighters who were tested were over the age of 50; that's compared to 2007 where 55 of 314 line fire fighters who were tested and are over the age of 50.

References:

Chapman, Larry, "Proof Positive: Analyses of the Cost Effectiveness of Worksite Wellness," Summex Corporation, 2006.

Pelletier, Kenneth, "A Review and Analysis of the Health and Cost-Effective Outcome Studies of Comprehensive Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Programs at the Worksite: American Journal of Health Promotion, September/October 1993: 50-62.