The Austin Public Safety Wellness Center offers a variety of services available to public safety personnel. We provide the following exams:
- Annual physicials or Promotional physicals
- Return to Work
- Applicant processing (hiring)
- Interval medical exams for cadets
Other services include, case management, vaccination programs, exposure management, and health interventions.
- Case Management
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For personnel with certain medical diseases, the case is closely followed by the medical team in order to ensure that the personnel can complete job duties in the field.
- EKG/Stress Test
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The cardiac stress test or "the submaximal treadmill evaluation" is used to evaluate aerobic capacity. For incumbent firefighters, aerobic capacity is measured annually as part of the annual wellness exam.
The EKG is used as a screening tool for cardiac disease and disorders beginning at 40 years old incumbent firefighters, and is also conducted immediately before all cardiac stress tests. For cadets, the cardiac stress test is used to evaluate aerobic capacity and screen for cardiac disease. To be considered for entrance into the Training Academy, the recommended aerobic capacity is 12 Metabolic Equivalent Tasks (METS).
- Hearing Exam
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Public safety employees are at risk for occupational hearing loss due to possible long-term exposure to loud noises. Audiometry is a portion of the medical exam conducted during pre-employment exams to establish a baseline for candidates, as well as annually for incumbents as a screening tool to identify hearing loss. In the event a member needs hearing aids, the screening records are utilized for workers' compensation purposes.
- Intervention
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Resources for first responders looking to improve health and wellness.
- Physician Exam
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The occupational health physician assesses medical and fitness exam during results blood work, and works with employees to achieve optimal health. Based on this assessment, the physician may refer personnel to needed resources. In the hiring process, the physician evaluates whether the candidate is medically cleared to perform job tasks associated with the specific public safety agency, according to either National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) or American College of Occupational and Enviornmental Medicine (ACOEM) standards.
- Spirometry
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Spirometry testing is administered as a portion of the medical exam during pre-employment for candidates, as well as annually for incumbents. Spirometry tests assess specific factors of lung function for occupational safety. They are continued on an annual basis to allow the occupational health physician to screen for lung disease.
- Vaccines
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All personnel will have their vaccinations updated per the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention recommendations for healthcare providers. This includes Hep A, Hep B, MMR, and TDAP. Each year, flu vaccines will also be provided for personnel.
- Vision Exam
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Vision screening is administered as a portion of the medical exam, both pre-employment for candidates, as well as annually for incumbents. During the hiring process, they are conducted to screen for specific visual problems which may impact certain duties. These screenings are continued on an annual basis to allow the occupational health physician to identify changes in visual function or ocular health.
- Vitals
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Blood pressure, height, and weight are measured.