Common use of Health and Wellness Program Clause in Contracts

Health and Wellness Program. The most vital resource of any fire department is its members. The IAFF/IAFC Wellness Fitness Initiative in concert with the NFPA standards identified in this Article are to be considered in a process aimed at improving members’ health and wellness. The intent is to reduce the risk and burden of fire service morbidity and mortality while improving the welfare of the fire fighters. Implemented as a positive individualized program that is non-punitive, all components results are measured against the individual’s previous examinations and assessments and not against any standard or norm. However, medical practice standards may be used when results indicate that lifesaving intervention is required. The parties hereby agree that the fire department shall establish and provide a health-related fitness program (WFI) that enables members to develop and maintain a level of health and fitness to safely perform their assigned functions. The intent of this program is to promote health and fitness in a “mandatory, non-punitive” manner. Mandatory, non-punitive implies a program with universal participation; however, failure to achieve defined individual fitness objectives should not be the basis for any employment sanctions, discipline or other punitive actions. However, failure to participate could result in discipline pursuant to Article 9. The fitness assessment conducted under this provision will take into consideration components of the IAFF/IAFC WFI and NFPA 1583 – 6.4 which list the following components: 1. Body composition 2. Muscular strength 3. Muscular endurance 4. Flexibility WFI protocols shall not be used to establish a pass/fail criterion in any of the components and are prohibited from being utilized to make medically fit/unfit determinations.