Fitness program geared to firefighters, paramedics in works

The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service will provide a new exercise program tailored to the unique physical strains endured by its staff on the job, with the goal of preventing workplace injuries.

The service is seeking a contractor to design and deliver fitness and wellness programming.

“Right now, we’ve found there’s a bit of a gap in providing information, support and resources to our staff, specifically related to functional fitness or aspects of fitness that relate to the work they do,” said WFPS deputy chief Scott Wilkinson. “(This is) just trying to look at the work that people are doing and then help them with the required fitness.”

The contractor would analyze the physical job requirements of WFPS staff, provide exercise programs to suit them, administer physical evaluations, and provide education on sleep, nutrition and flexibility.

Wilkinson said specific measures would match the work of 911 operators, firefighters and paramedics.

“(Emergency Medical Services) personnel do a lot of work… moving in difficult positions, lifting patients from different positions, lifting and moving equipment… Obviously, firefighters (have) a huge range of physical demands, from overhead work in fires, like opening up walls and ceilings, to lifting patients, to moving gear and the sheer fact that they’re moving around with 60 pounds to 65 pounds or so of equipment on their backs,” he said.

He noted strains for emergency call-takers are related to long periods spent sitting, often while dealing with very stressful incidents.

The city will spend $60,000 for this specific contract, which adds to existing fitness resources, Wilkinson said.

The program follows a surge in Workers Compensation Board claims and overtime costs for WFPS this year. A recent finance report cited those increases as key reasons WFPS expects to exceed its tax-supported budget by $3 million this year.

Wilkinson said this program aims to improve employees’ physical health, not specifically to reduce absences that fuel overtime or cut down on WCB claims.

However, he said fitness improvements that reduce injuries could help combat those challenges.

“By keeping people healthier, more fit and prepared for the functional demands of their work, there would be a side benefit. We would anticipate fewer injuries for sure,” he said.

Coun. Jeff Browaty, chairman of city council’s finance committee, agreed.

“Obviously, the health and safety and well-being of our employees is key… And Winnipeggers benefit, hopefully, (from) a reduction of the (WCB) claims,” said Browaty.

Coun. Vivian Santos, chairwoman of the community services committee, said the program responds to the clear physical challenges of front-line emergency work.

“There are a lot of work injuries that do come with fire paramedics (work) just because of the amount of exertion that they have to do,” said Santos.

The head of the union that represents Winnipeg firefighters said he sees the program as a small but positive step toward preventing injuries, which should help make good use of exercise equipment they can already access.

“It’s a very hazardous profession, obviously, it’s a very physical profession. Any physical fitness and preparedness that relates to the job can assist our members in avoiding injuries that result in time loss and have a detrimental effect on our ability to serve the public,” said Nick Kasper, president of the United Fire Fighters of Winnipeg.

However, Kasper said injuries will still contribute to absences and a heavy reliance on overtime, due to a staff shortage.

“We’re not going to exercise our way out of the overtime crisis,” he said.

To reduce the need for overtime, WFPS should hire 80 more firefighters, while “hundreds” more would be needed to also match Winnipeg’s population growth and increased emergency call volumes, said Kasper.

Kyle Ross, president of the Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union that represents Winnipeg paramedics, said he also sees value in exercise being tailored to staff needs.

However, he said many paramedics may lack time to follow new fitness advice.

“We have positions that are vacant… I would really like to see (a) focus on filling those positions with qualified, trained members,” he said.

MGEU said 47 paramedic positions were vacant, with 323 working in Winnipeg, as of Jan. 1.

“We need the city to start hiring,” said Ross.

Wilkinson said WFPS is considering hiring more staff.

“We’re always open to improving staffing resources but that will come through budget processes,” he said.

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

X: @joyanne_pursaga