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HomeMy WebLinkAboutI. B. FIREFIGHTER MEDICAL SCREENING ENHANCEMENT UPDATE 9.24.24Comprehensive Health & Wellness Screening for Firefighters Fire Chief Kenneth Pravetz | September 24, 2024 Physical Risks •Firefighters do strenuous work, in dangerous environments, while wearing heavy personal protective equipment (PPE) •Medical evaluations can detect underlying conditions to aid in prevention and treatment Physiological Strains of Firefighting → Cardiovascular → Hematological → Thermoregulatory → Respiratory → Metabolic → Immune/Endocrine → Nervous → Muscular → Psychological p2 •Cardiac claims cost the City of Virginia Beach on average over $600,000 •Imaging modalities can help identify early signs of Cardio Vascular Disease (CVD) in firefighters Cardiovascular Risk p3 •Firefighters have a higher incidence of certain cancers, including lung, prostate, and digestive cancers, compared to the general population. •Firefighters have a 9% higher risk of cancer diagnosis and a 14% higher risk of death than the general population •There are currently eleven open workers compensation claims for cancer in the Virginia Beach Fire Department (VBFD). •The existing physical screening process was not able to identify any of the cancers impacting VBFD members. Firefighter Exposures p4 As the incidence of cancer continues to increase in the VBFD the age at diagnosis has decreased Cancer Risk Cancer 66% Cardiac 14% Trauma 4% Inf Dis 3% Other 3% Resp Arrest 3%Unk 4% Burns 2% Cancer Cardiac Trauma Inf Dis Other Resp Arrest Unk Burns Source: International Association of Firefighters fatalities 2002-2023 Source: Virginia Beach Finance: Risk Management Division p5 •Limit Exposure •Effective Tactics •Quality Training •Improve Fitness •Improve Sleep •Support Mental Health •Regular Comprehensive Screening Preventative Efforts p6 •Occupational Medical Examinations •Fitness Evaluations •Respirator Fit Testing •Behavioral Health Assessment •Rehabilitation Services •Immunization & Exposure Screening •Comprehensive Disease Screening •Data Collection and Reporting Comprehensive Health Screening for Firefighters: p7 Improvement Highlights Current State •23 diagnostic and assessment modalities •No ultrasound assessments •No Multi-Cancer Tests •No polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) monitoring •Displacement body composition: calculated total •Submaximal Cardiac Test •Basic blood composition and cholesterol Enhancements •47 diagnostic and assessment modalities •12 ultrasound screenings •Multi-Cancer test for >50 cancer types •PFAS Blood values •Body Composition: both total body and segmental data •Submaximal Cardiac Test & Enhanced Stress Test, Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) Scoring •All existing blood chemistry plus: A1C, Thyroid, Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA), Testosterone p8 Funding Options •City Council adopt legislation directing the City Manager to cover as much as possible with the Risk Management allocation. •If determined to be over the City Manager’s transfer authority of $250,000 a City Council action item can be brought forth requesting a transfer for the remaining amount needed to execute the contract. •Provide direction for the City Manager to identify on-going funding for this in the development of the FY 2025-26 Operating Budget 9 Thank you p10 Questions?