The Raleigh Fire Department (RFD) is launching a new initiative to support firefighters’ health through free screenings. Highlighting a commitment to preventative care, the program is designed to detect potential medical issues early, according to a recent article by the City of Raleigh.
The voluntary screenings focus on identifying risks such as cardiovascular problems and organ health concerns. Providing this service at no cost is expected to have a significant impact on the wellbeing of RFD crews.
Speaking of impact, Fire Chief Alexandra Gutierrez, who helms the department's Health and Safety Compliance Division, expressed how the initiative underscores a proactive stance on the health front. "This is about being proactive," Gutierrez told the City of Raleigh's news channel. Aiming to screen up to 200 firefighters annually, the screenings are performed adeptly within the supportive walls of Fire Station 14.
Firefighters willing to sign up for the screenings are scheduled through UNC Health for virtual consultations with a physician assistant, followed by ultrasounds administered by Siemens Healthineers' sonographers. It's a streamlined affair, with UNC Radiology road-testing the scans and results fired back within three business days. This efficient relay allows for quick action if a firefighter's health scan ignites concern and primary care follow-up is needed, as detailed by the health initiative description.
The program's price tag is about $72,000 per year – a drop in the bucket compared to the exhaustive toll serious health conditions can extract both financially and personally. It's a long-term investment spurred by former Health and Safety Compliance Chief Keith Wilder, who, after his own health scare, understood the value first-hand. "I became a poster child for my own project," Wilder reflected on the importance of proactive screenings after undergoing significant surgeries following a routine screening, as per the City of Raleigh.
With firefighters facing a smoking gun in terms of increased cancer risks due to their occupation, regular health screenings like the ones RFD is offering become instrumental in early detection. "The last thing our firefighters should have to worry about is navigating healthcare," says Raleigh Fire Chief Herbert Griffin, as noted by the City of Raleigh. Aside from the screenings, RFD is also taking preventative measures, such as providing dual firefighting gear sets, restricting gear within stations, and decontaminating trucks after calls to keep their first responders in top-notch form.
Chief Griffin's strong recommendation for RFD crew to get on board with health screenings reflects a clear priority shift; this is about more than just fighting fires – it's about safeguarding those who do so with admirable bravery every day. "This is about making health a priority and getting ahead of potential issues," Griffin shared with the City of Raleigh news. With such programs in place, RFD is making sure their heroes are equipped not just on the outside, but on the inside as well.
