HFD Occupational Wellness Practice Flashcards

A set of practice flashcards covering vocabulary and key concepts from the Houston Fire Department's Occupational Wellness guidelines (I-25).

Behavioral Health

Includes all but not limited to: stress management, nutrition, tobacco use cessation, substance abuse interventions, and emotional support options.

Cardiovascular Fitness

The capacity of the heart and lung system to supply the working muscles with oxygen, and the ability to use that oxygen to produce energy; also known as aerobic fitness.

Essential Job Task

Specific firefighting tasks defined in Chapter 5 of NFPA 1582, including hoseline operations, climbing 6 or more flights of stairs in a protective ensemble, and rescuing victims over $200\,lb$.

Muscular Strength

The force a muscle or muscle group can generate with maximum effort, measured by how much weight can be pushed or pulled.

Muscular Endurance

The ability of a muscle or group of muscles to generate force without fatiguing, measured by duration or repetitions of an action.

Muscular Power

The speed with which muscular strength can be applied.

Physical Ability Test (PAT)

A mandatory documented physical evaluation for trainees including a $1.5\text{-mile}$ timed run, sit-up test, pull-up test, and push-up test conducted every two months.

Wellness

A balance between various fitness modalities—medical, physical, emotional, and behavioral—that sometimes requires intervention and rehabilitation.

Firefighter Support Network

Administers health and wellness support services within HFD under the direction of the Senior Staff Psychologist.

Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM)

A team of volunteers providing psychological peer support to employees during crises such as LODDs, pediatric deaths, or traumatic incidents.

Member Advocate’s Office

Composed of classified members who assist HFD personnel in accessing support services like insurance, worker's comp, and substance abuse treatment.

Internal EAP

Offers counseling for employees specifically regarding problems with work relationships or work performance.

External EAP

Provides resources for personal and work-life issues, including financial and legal support, with $6$ sessions per condition at no charge.

Wellness Team

A dedicated COH team comprised of a Registered Nurse, Registered Dietitians, Public Health Educators, and other health specialists.

Dermal Absorption

One of the two primary routes of carcinogen entry into the body where toxicants are absorbed through the skin.

Gross Decon

Field procedures used to remove soot and particulates from bunker gear after a fire using a light stream of water.

Overhaul

A post-fire operation where failing to wear an SCBA and monitor air quality is considered the most dangerous voluntary activity in the fire service today.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

A condition that clinically affects between $12\%$ and $13\%$ of HFD members, while up to $50\%$ may suffer from associated symptoms.

Modifiable Risk Factors

Health elements that can be changed to reduce disease risk, including obesity, fitness level, nutrition, sleep deprivation, and toxin exposures.

SY0001 Physical Fitness

The specific credit designated for personnel who engage in physical fitness activities while on duty.