With Mounting Number of Injuries, Fire Department Hires Wellness Program

Thursday, August 22, 2019 | 0

After 61 injuries to firefighters in the last two years, the city of Norwalk, Connecticut, is seeking professional help.

The Norwalk Common Council this week voted to spend $187,500 to hire First Response Health and Wellness to institute an injury prevention program that includes nutrition, fitness, flexibility and best practices, according to a local news report.

“By reducing the injuries, we extend the longevity of the firefighters and reduce the costs for the city, and make a safer environment to work in and raise the morale,” said Mike McCallum, deputy chief of training for the department.

In 2017-18, the department had 28 injuries, followed by 33 injuries in 2018-19, he said.

“An injury prevention program for the Norwalk Fire Department would focus on improving firefighter mobility and stability to prepare for dynamic environments required of firefighters,” Fire Chief Gino Gatto wrote in a letter to the Common Council. “Currently, no such program exists within Norwalk Fire Department.”

The contract with First Response includes and option to extend the program for five years for $193,125, the newspaper reported.