The rehabilitation of our members must be a priority. Rehabilitation should include multi-site physical therapy and rehabilitation services through a provider that has extensive background with fire departments, and provide outstanding services in post rehabilitation, fitness, injury prevention, and work capacity evaluations.

Criteria for a Rehabilitation Program

• Medical Liaison familiar with job requirements and fit for duty expectations

• Physical Therapy organization familiar with job requirements and fit for duty expectations
• A Light Duty Program
• Re-evaluation
• Personalized exercise programs
• Injury prevention program

The fire department physician, member’s physician, Strength Training Inc., Personnel Chief, and the City of Tempe Risk Management act as the gatekeepers for re-entry into the workplace following an on duty injury. The Personnel Chief through the member’s physician, and Strength Training Inc. manages re-entry following all off duty injuries.

In our continuous effort to comply with the IAFC/IAFF Wellness/Fitness Initiative, the City of Tempe and the Tempe Fire Department have a primary rehabilitative component for on the job injuries. Strength Training Inc. is our primary rehabilitative component for all industrial injuries, and the recommended component for non-industrial injuries.

If injured, members are to immediately notify their supervisor. Notification to Risk Management and/or the Personnel Chief will assist our members to benefit from Strength Training in the following areas:

Industrial Injury Treatment

• Program of therapy approved by member’s physician.

• Obtain therapy within 24 hours for minor sprains, strains and aggravations. Strength Training will provide members a physician referral if necessary. This can prevent further injury, allow members to remain at work, and reduce medical costs to the city.

Non-industrial Injury Treatment

• Prescribed program of therapy for members and their family.
• Will be covered by the member’s health insurance.

Post Rehabilitation/Return to Work

• Strength training instruction and programs for members recovering from physical injury or unable to physically perform the duties of their job.

Technical Assistance/Consulting Services

• Strength Training will provide the city or department with assistance on injury prevention, wellness, fitness, ergonomics, or other member issues.

Membership

• All City employees and their families can receive a 20% discount on Strength Training memberships if you choose to use their fitness facilities.

The City and Department have light duty policies in place for injury or illness incurred on and off the job. Light duty enables the Department to utilize the skills of injured or ill members during rehabilitation. It is a means to reduce injury costs and keep the member involved in the Department.

Members may receive re-evaluation when they return to work. For on and off duty injuries, many members receive on going treatment and therapy prescribed by their physician. The Safety Officer and/or Peer Fitness Trainers may also provide follow up to members.

Again, personalized exercise prescription is a major component of the wellness program. It should be a progressive plan that accounts for the members current level of fitness, capabilities, nutrition status, and self-improvement efforts.

An injury prevention program exists to reduce risks and educate our members. The program includes:

• Wellness Program
• Physical Fitness Program
• Commitment to safety from labor and management
• Department Safety Officer
• City Safety Officer
• Department and City Safety Teams
• Safety Education