Council here has approved implementation of wellness programs for township employees, including volunteer firefighters and their families.
On May 23 council approved the provision of Employee and Volunteer Firefighter Member and Family Assistance Program coverage after receiving a report from CAO Brad McRoberts and Fire Chief Rick Richardson.
“Employee and Family Assistance Programs (EFAP) are a very inexpensive means to ensure employee wellness, thereby ensuring that employees can remain focused and un-distracted while performing their duties,” the report notes.
“It also assists in preventing loss (of) time due to work- or family-related issues that require support programs.”
The report indicates the estimated cost for the Employee and Family Assistance Program is $4.50 per employee per month, an approximate annual cost of $1,620 for all employees.
The cost for the Volunteer Firefighter Member and Family Assistance Program is estimated at $2 per firefighter per month. The complete department consists of 40 firefighters, four auxiliary and two dispatchers for a total of 46. The yearly cost would be $1,032 (three firefighters are also employees).
McRoberts explained that separate programs would be implemented for firefighters, as “it’s quite a bit cheaper just for volunteer firefighters than for full-time employees.”
Councillor Lori Woodham asked if the new benefit would also be provided to council members.
“Not at this time,” said McRoberts, although he added such coverage could be investigated “at council’s discretion.”
Staff were directed to solicit quotations and the township’s senior management team will select a provider and award the service.
At the same meeting, council approved submission of a post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) program for Mapleton firefighters to the Ministry of Labour for approval.
“Mapleton Fire/Rescue has been working diligently over the past two years on a prevention program to protect our firefighters from the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder,” states a report from Richardson.
“The Ministry of Labour now requires every fire department in the province to develop and register a plan to reduce the number of Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) claims [in] the province.”
Mapleton Fire/Rescue has already completed trauma training for all firefighters at a cost of $1,540 and soon will complete officer training at a cost of $420. These funds are taken out of the external training account in the fire department budget, the report notes.
The plan aims to provide firefighters with clarity on how Mapleton Fire/Rescue is addressing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) prevention, intervention, recovery and return to work. It is based partially on information from a similar plan developed for Wellington North firefighters.
