Occupational Health

     EMS providers often get front-row seats as the effects of obesity play out. They attend to the heart attacks and falls and other consequences, and they transport their victims—sometimes at great physical cost to themselves—to the definitive care they require.

     And yet throughout the emergency services, not everyone learns what should be an obvious lesson. Even as its end stages play out before them daily, EMS and fire and law enforcement providers let themselves become dangerously overweight and unhealthy. People who should know better don't always practice what they preach.

     Sure, to an extent, it's a hazard of the job—it's hard to eat right and work out when you're crazy running calls. That's why it's important for emergency services agencies to find ways to help their people get fit. Wise organizations recognize that fit, healthy workers live longer, last longer in EMS, are less susceptible to injury and illness, and just plain serve their communities more effectively. Greenwich EMS (GEMS) figured that out long ago, and, in 2007, was honored by the Fairfield County Healthy Workplaces Best Practices Recognition Program for its efforts in maintaining worker wellness and preventing injury and illness.

     "You can't be unhealthy and be lifting patients," says Lynn Ridberg, a veteran paramedic who oversees public education efforts for the Connecticut third service, which serves a town of 61,000 in the state's southwestern tip. "It puts a burden on the organization as a whole. Your injury levels go up, and your longevity in the field is decreased."

     Accordingly, GEMS has, over the years, developed a number of programs aimed at helping its people maintain health and fitness. On the health side, it offers basics like free annual physicals and vaccinations (flu, pneumonia, hep B) through the Occupational Health department at Greenwich Hospital. It will also pay for any remediation program recommended by program physicians—think areas like stress and diet, where EMS providers have traditionally been vulnerable. There's a confidential Employee Assistance Program that offers assessment, counseling and referrals for those who need help in various areas. On the fitness side, the service has gone so far as to pay for the gym memberships of its full-time employees. As an incentive, this reimbursement is prorated: If you go to the gym four days a week, the service will cover 100%, up to a certain amount. Three times a week, it covers 75%. Twice, it's 50%, and once, it's 25%. The idea: The harder you work at it, the more the organization will support you.

     Frankly, Ridberg says, not as many members take advantage of this offer as the service would like. But it could be a valuable weapon against the inexorable creep of old age. "I've been a paramedic for 24 years, and an EMT-I and a volunteer before that," she says. "I've had injuries, and in order for me to sustain and stay in this field, I have to work out. That's just the reality. You have to stay in shape. Sometimes I wonder if all of our younger constituents fully realize that. You really have to work to stay on top of it."

     While it can't force its members to join gyms, Greenwich EMS also works to support them in other ways. It makes it easy to address health hazards through a workplace safety committee that examines injuries and hears employee concerns. Anyone can bring any issue to the committee's attention; they'll brainstorm solutions and work to get them implemented. It was this committee, for example, that drove a move to needleless injection systems that cut the service's needlestick injury rate to zero.

     Greenwich also offers a more advanced plan for health and other benefits than many of its neighbors. Rather than having to buy their coverage, employees earn credit points they can apply toward things like group medical, dental and disability insurance.

     "We give you enough benefit points to start with all of those," Ridberg explains, "and with additional service, your points increase." As providers rack up time, that gives them access to extras like life insurance, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts for health or dependent care, and 401ks. "As the years go by, you're going to be better off," Ridberg says. "You can put credits into other areas, and it won't come out of your pocket."

     When an organization has a strong cultural commitment to health and safety that's visible in the way it treats its employees, it usually brings the same vigorous approach to helping the sick and hurt of its community. Caring for people doesn't, and shouldn't, stop at the stationhouse door.

     In 2005, CNN/Money and Money magazine ranked Greenwich 12th on their list of the nation's 100 best places to live. In 2008, it's apparently still pretty good—especially if you're involved with EMS.

     For more on GEMS, visit www.greenwichems.org.