191059

The City of Portland ordains:

Section 1.  The Council finds:

1. Given their occupational exposures and physical demands of the job, firefighters are at an increased risk for musculoskeletal and cardiovascular injuries. To support the safety and well-being of all Portland firefighters and the community which they serve, Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) Department of Health Promotion and Sports Medicine (HPSM) is willing to serve as the Medical Wellness Director for Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R).

2. The OHSU HPSM has years of experience caring and advocating for firefighters, in addition to countless publications related to the health of this unique population.  Doctor Kerry Kuehl and Doctor Diane Elliot conducted the Promoting Healthy Living: Assessing More Effects (PHLAME) study with PF&R and demonstrated significant cardiovascular risk factors in 50% of participants over age 40.

3. Since 2019, OHSU has performed yearly National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1582 physicals for more than 200 firefighters in the Human Performance Laboratory.  Through this partnership, OHSU HPSM has discovered that a large number of firefighters do not have a Primary Care Physician.

4. Because of the fear that medical screening will lead to potential punitive measures, members who are at the highest risk of sudden cardiac death while on the job are potentially missing the opportunity for life-saving interventions. There is a tremendous opportunity to change the narrative, provide better access to care, and most importantly, save lives.

5. The cost of the Medical Wellness Director services from OHSU will not exceed $350,000 over the term of the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA), to be paid by the General Fund from PF&R’s Health and Wellness budget.

6. OHSU and PF&R believe this IGA will be mutually beneficial to both parties.

NOW, THEREFORE, the Council directs:

1. The Commissioner in Charge is authorized to enter into an IGA with OHSU in substantially similar form to Attachment 1 provided it has been approved as to form by the City Attorney’s Office.
2. The Mayor and the Auditor are hereby authorized to pay for the IGA from PF&R’s Health and Wellness cost center.
3.  The Portland Fire & Rescue Chief is authorized to amend the terms of the Intergovernmental Agreement on behalf of the City, provided that the amendment does not increase the City’s total financial obligation under the agreement.

Section 2.  The Council declares that an emergency exists because a delay would prevent firefighters from beginning a health and wellness program under the Medical Wellness Director; therefore, this Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage by the Council.