Wellness

Explore by category: Wellness
DOCUMENT

Emotional Support Animals in the Fire Station

An overview of items to evaluate and address as you look into emotional support animals.

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DOCUMENT

How solid is your drug and alcohol free workplace program?

Best practices for implementing a comprehensive substance abuse program.

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DOCUMENT

Summer Safety: How Not to Overheat

Tips to help protect your team from heat exhaustion during warmer-weather.

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Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus Inspection Log

This log can help your crew inspect their SCBA and ensure it's providing breathable air.

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DOCUMENT

Safety Officer Policy Role + Responsibilities

This document provides an overview of the role and responsibilities of safety officers.

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DOCUMENT

Sample Safety Committee By-Laws

Sample bylaws to help showcase the vital role and responsibilities of committee members.

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DOCUMENT

Risk Management for EMS and the Ambulance Transportation Industry

This booklet shares recommendations for an EMS risk management and safety program.

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Personnel Self-Assessment: Annual Medical Status Overview

This form can be used to help education ESO leadership on their member's medical history.

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DOCUMENT

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Inspection Checklist

This simple checklist can help your team inspect their PPE.

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DOCUMENT

Personal Injury/Illness Investigation Report

A sample form to help you document key aspects of work-related injuries and illnesses.

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DOCUMENT

NFPA 1500 Fire Department Occupational Safety, Health and Wellness Program Worksheet (2018 Edition)

A worksheet to help you assess and improve your organization's safety and health program.

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DOCUMENT

Near Miss Incident Reporting

How you can use near miss incidents to develop a proactive approach to safety.

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DOCUMENT

Medical Evaluation Programs

Why medical evaluation programs are important and tips to help your ESO implement one.

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DOCUMENT

Managing Fatigue in EMS Operations

This article discusses fatigue, its associatesd risks and how to help combat it in your EMS agency.

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DOCUMENT

Long Distance Transport: Managing EMS Fatigue

How to help address fatigue and crewmember strain during long transports.

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DOCUMENT

Infectious Exposure Form

A sample form to help you document key aspects of infectious exposures.

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DOCUMENT

Incident Exposure Form

A sample form to help you document key aspects of incident exposures.

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DOCUMENT

Fitness Center Policies and Procedures

Guidelines to help members remain safe while utilizing fitness equipment or facilities.

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DOCUMENT

Drug and Alcohol Policies for ESOs

Examples of guidelines and policies to help mitigate substance abuse and related risks.

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DOCUMENT

Cancer Prevention: PPE Decontamination

Recommended cleaning steps for firefighters to take at the scene and at the station.

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DOCUMENT

Cancer and The Firefighter

This booklet discusses firefighter cancer risks and prevention best practices to consider.

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DOCUMENT

Behavioral Health Concerns for Fire & EMS Personnel

This booklet discusses behavioral health risks, concerns and best practices.

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DOCUMENT

Back Injury Prevention Tips

Back injury risks, safety tips and patient handling techniques for EMS personnel.

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Going Green

Save energy. Save money. Save the planet. Check out this infograhic to learn more.

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ONLINE TRAINING

Infectious Disease BBP

Annual refresher training for bloodborne pathogens and communicable disease

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ONLINE TRAINING

Ergonomic Issues

Review of engineering and admin controls to reduce slips, trips, falls and back injuries

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ONLINE TRAINING

Cancer Prevention

Best practices to reduce the exposure to carcinogens and the number of cancer cases

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ONLINE TRAINING

Behavioral Health Concerns

This course introduces a nine key behavioral health considerations for emergency services personnel

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AUDIO

History of VFIS with Randy Hess

In this episode, we talk with Randy Hess, former Director of VFIS Risk Control, about the historical impact of Client Risk Solutions on Emergency Services.

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AUDIO

Peer Support with Bryan Duquin and Chaplain Jimmy Fannin

VFIS’ Bryan Duquin and Chief Chaplain Jimmy Fannin of Chaplains Corps of Lancaster County join the program to offer suggestions for providing peer support to ESO members

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AUDIO

Fatigue Management for ESOs

Fatigue impacts personal health as well as a responder's ability to perform key functions

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AUDIO

Special Guest Chief Ron Siarnicki of NFFF

The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) works to honor firefighters who have fa

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AUDIO

Fatigue Management with Chesterfield Fire & EMS

Fatigue impacts personal health as well as a responder's ability to perform key functions

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AUDIO

Incident Stress Management with Dr. Kathy Jansen

Critical incident stress can have a lasting effect on emergency responders; yet, the stigm

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AUDIO

Medical Evaluations for ESOs

A responder's health can impact the safety of other crew members, agency resources, and ci

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AUDIO

Cancer in the Fire Service Part 1

Research has shown that firefighters have a higher risk of developing cancer. Why is this

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AUDIO

Cancer in the Fire Service Part 2 - Decontamination with Concord Fire Department

Following up from our previous episode, we continue our discussion on the prevalence of ca

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AUDIO

Encore Episode: Incident Stress Management

The Don't Risk It podcast team is taking a well-deserved break this summer, but we will be

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AUDIO

Encore Episode: Fatigue Management Part 1

The Don't Risk It podcast team is taking a well-deserved break this summer, but we will be

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AUDIO

Encore Episode: Fatigue Management Part 2 with Chesterfield Fire & EMS

The Don't Risk It podcast team is taking a well-deserved break this summer, but we will be

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AUDIO

Chaplains in the Fire Service with Jimmy Fannin

Helping the responder process and manage the emotional trauma they see every day

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AUDIO

Honoring our LODD Heroes with Troy Markel

Troy Markel reflects on the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation national tribute

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Article

8 Dimenstions of Wellness for Firefighters, EMS Personnel + 911 Dispatchers

Consider this multi-faceted approach to help your emergency services personnel prevent, cope with and recover from behavioral health concerns.

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Article

Providing Meaningful Support to Your Firefighters + Their Families

Check out this program that's designed to support the health and wellness of first responder employees, volunteers and the workplace.

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Article

Station Conversation: What's Trending in Fire + EMS

Here’s a round-up of 4 new-and-evolving topics in emergency services—and reasons why you may want to pay attention to them.

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Article

Your crew is at risk for skin cancer. Better protect yourselves with these simple steps

Studies show that skin cancer has been deemed an "occupational disease" for firefighters. Make sure your crew is aware of how to properly protect their skin from the dangers resulting from...

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Article

Where firefighters can find respiratory protection resources

Firefighter training resources and SOGs for respiratory protection including proper use and fit-testing of self-contained breathing apparatus.

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Article

Where can I find cancer prevention resources for my fire department?

To find resources designed specifically for emergency responders, check out ResponderHelp.com - an emergency responder's one-stop, free resource!

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Article

What is the New York State Volunteer Firefighter Enhanced Cancer Disability Law?

What is the New York State Volunteer Firefighter Enhanced Cancer Disability Law? Will it require your facility to provide cancer insurance coverage for members? We've broken down the...

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Article

Top Behavioral Health Concerns for Fire Chiefs and EMS Leaders

Being exposed to hazards is an inherent part of your job but that doesn't mean there aren't consequences.

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Article

Tips for Fighting Invisible Threats During EMS Response

Let's talk about one of the most common invisible threats EMS personnel face: pathogens.

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Article

The chilling truth about the winter blues

If you're experiencing more than the winter blues, you could be one of the half a million people in the U.S. suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder.

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Article

Tackling the stress of the daily grind.

Lack of sleep, missing holidays, increasing negative interactions with the public, administrative problems and struggling relationships are just some of the daily pressures that you may...

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Article

How to implement a wellness program in your fire department

Fire chiefs can help promote the mental and physical health of their volunteer firefighters by implementing a wellness program. Taking a comprehensive approach, making a team-wide...

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Article

How to help recognize + combat emergency responder PTSD

Fires, medical emergencies, natural disasters, accidents, terrorist acts - the community calls you to scenes filled with trauma. And it comes with a cost.

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Article

How first responders can use the 3 "L's" to help battle suicide

How firefighters and EMTs can help prevent suicide in their emergency service organization by using the three L's - listen, look and learn.

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Article

How an innovative Montana fire station is inspiring change

The station has a dedicated focus on holistic health and wellness - unprecedented (but greatly needed) across the industry.

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Article

Fire + EMS Burnout: Causes, Signs + Effects

Burnout is a psychological response to chronic work stress. Given the stressful and traumatic situations that firefighters and EMTs often face, it's not surprising that burnout is common in...

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Article

Emergency Responder Heart Health: What you need to know to protect yourself

If you're in a position where you regularly put both your mind and body on the line, how can you best protect yourself? There are a few important things that you can incorporate into your...

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Article

Cancer in the fire service: what we should know + what we should do

How your fire department can help prevent, detect and protect against cancer!

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Article

Behavioral Health 101

Behavioral Health: What it is, why it's important and where you can learn more.

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Article

6 Ways to Help EMS Agencies Fight Fatigue

While there is no simple (or one-size-fits-all) solution to the problem, simply muscling-up to the occasion is not the answer.

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Article

4 Tips for managing first responder stress

Suffering from work-related stress? Being mindful about these 4 simple, everyday techniques can help you dramatically reduce it.

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Article

3 Heart Healthy Tips for Firefighters and Paramedics

While the statistics are scary, the good news is that there are things we can all do to better understand the risks and help improve our heart health.

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Article

13 Steps to help reduce firefighter cancer risks

While the risks are undeniably scary, there are policies and procedures you can implement today to help address cancer within your fire department.

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