Posted: 5/3/2008 6:42:17 PM EDT
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my department is in the brainstorming stages of of developing a physical fitness program. as it stands now, we have none. as such, i have several questions..... 1. does your department (leo or ff) have a fitness program? 2. if so, is it mandatory or voluntary? 3. do you receive compensation (comp time, $$, or other incentives) for your time? 4. is it modeled after the military (push-ups, sit-ups, run) or an O-course type event? 5. are you asked simply to participate, or is progress monitored and recorded? if anyone has a pt policy handy, that would be helpful as well (e-mail). if you have any ideas or suggestions feel free to post them. thanks in advance for your time and responses. |
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I just looked into that for here. Bottom line: Who ever designs it better be an expert and it is court defensible. Best way is to reward people by making life changes. Stop smoking for 6 months, get 5 extra vac days, etc. Overweight (again, don't use a table or chart, get a nutrientist or Dr), lose 15 lbs, get some extra v days or $ |
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Check out the IAFF/IAFC Fitness Initiative for a great set of guidelines for implementing a positive, not punitive program. Also check out www.crossfit.com for a reasonably inexpensive way to get the guys started. Just remember to scale down the intensities and believe it or not, the expensive rower and olympic bumper plates are not necessary to get a great workout. As for compensation for progress, that is something that can be hard for HR to swallow. Comp time can be effective, vacation is often worth money upon retirement or for a sellback, so might be a tougher sell. People should be on a case by case basis for evaluation and reasonable goals. Goals should be attainable, but not so easy as to be a wash for the dept. Smoking cessation/tobacco cessation are items that you can work on via employee assistance and through dept/govt. policies and can in the long run lead to a better position to negotiate health coverage prices--just imagine if the entire dept/govt were smoke/tobacco free, might be a little cheaper to insure. ABOVE ALL: Don't give up easily--this might take several years to get implemented--mostly funding, misconceptions about injuries, and the lack of ability for bean counters to see that it is cheaper to pay for minor injuries from working out vs a LODD claim from cardiac problems or lack of strength/fitness to survive the bad stuff. |
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I don't have policy recommendations, but I will make a few suggestions. No "boot camp" syle PT. It's punitive (like Teal said) and doesn't develop any usable degree of actual "fitness", especially for LE. Rewards, like G918 said. Not everyone will be as motivated as the guy next to him. I don't recall what, if any, rewards we have here but I do know that the heavy recruits have to watch what they eat, log it, and submit it to one of instructors. PT, to some extent, must be mandatory. There has to be a minimum. Everyone's better off knowing what they feel like out of breath and tired on the o-course rather than fighting to retain their weapon on a lonely front lawn. Something I would really like here is a specialized, voluntary program where 10 guys get to be my barbell trainee bitch for 18 weeks or something. Your PT should not focus on endurance (long runs all the time, push-ups ad nauseum), etc. It should focus on strength, power, and speed. For mass planning, Crossfit fits the bill as far as that goes, and CF can also qualify instructors for different specialties. |
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If that "quit smoking and earn more comp time or days off" thing ever gets implemented does that mean non-smokers will have to pretend to smoke and then quit to get the same benefit? Do naturally lean people get extra days or time added since they are ahead of the curve in that department, too, or would they have to get fat, get on the program, lose the weight and then reap the reward? |
In a word? No. [rant]Our department, despite Contract language that states the "The City and the Union shall work together to establish a physical fitness program" is under a "stop work" order verbally issued a few years ago when the chief asked the (political appointed 'consultant') HR Director about our working out during 'down time'. He stated 'concerns' about incurring worker's comp claims from our working out on duty. Of course, if we go out due to heart attack or stroke, then it's a problem for the pension board, isn't it?  Of course, this doesn't prevent management from making disparaging comments about the couple of FF's who are out of shape; when the 'stop work" order gets mentioned, we get told "we have 48 hours when we're not working to maintain our fitness".  [/rant]
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Management and labor have been trying to get a program done for about five or six years. So far it's been a giant waste of time. In a nut shell management wants to discipline, fire, take bonus money away, and effect promotions bases on the fitness program. Labor would consider a mandatory participation, voluntary compliance program with some type of incentive ($ or time off) for passing a fitness test yet to be determined. The issue will most likely need to go to impact arbitration to be settled. We're in contract talks now. Bucky145 |
The only reason I suggested it is because of the all-around fitness aspect. You aren't limiting yourself when it comes to exercises or specifics. Short Story: Forgot where I was reading this but a guy was winning 5k runs in his local area and people asked how he trained. They were shocked to hear Crossfit. The folks that were losing train to run. This guy trains to be fit period. Another suggestion is to link up with a local health food store and ask if the group of participants can receive discounts. Best of luck to ya. |
The individuality required by a program like a fitness/wellness public safety program demands that each person be screened and set their own goals within guidelines. I've seen some pretty lean yet out of shape people as well as some rather fit fat guys. Assessments and goals are created for the individual and progress is individual. |
Damn... I didn't know you worked for my City...  Sounds like the crap they "offered" this time around.
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