TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THRU: Jarad Hildenbrand, City Manager
FROM: Sean deMetropolis, Fire Chief
1. Subject
title
Agreement with Life Scan Wellness Centers for Cancer, Heart, Vascular, and Disease Ultrasound Screenings for Orange City Fire Department Personnel.
body
2. Summary
Cancer is the leading cause of firefighter line-of-duty deaths. Implementing comprehensive wellness screenings enables early detection and prevention of serious health issues, enhancing firefighter safety and overall well-being. This proactive approach can help reduce long-term healthcare and workers’ compensation costs for the City.
3. Recommended Action
recommendation
Approve the agreement with Life Scan Wellness Centers the amount of $55,000 for Cancer, Heart, Vascular, and Disease Ultrasound Screenings; and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute on behalf of the City.
end
4. Fiscal Impact
The expense for this Agreement is not to exceed $55,000 and will be funded through General Fund (100):
100-3121-55000 Contractual Services
5. Strategic Plan Goals
Goal 1: Maintain Strong Emergency and Safety Services
Objective1.11: Expand the employee wellness program
6. Discussion and Background
Cancer is the leading occupational threat to firefighters and a primary driver of line-of-duty deaths (LODDs). Between 2002 and 2019, cancer was responsible for 66% of LODDs among career firefighters, while heart disease accounted for 18%. In 2016, cancer caused an even higher proportion-70%-of such fatalities, according to data from the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (CDC/NIOSH) research shows firefighters have a 9% higher overall cancer incidence and a 14% higher cancer mortality rate than the general U.S. population. Risks are substantially elevated for specific cancers - about double the risk for mesothelioma and testicular cancer; roughly 1.5-1.6 times for multiple myeloma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma; and increased risks for skin (including melanoma), brain, prostate, colon cancers, and leukemia - reflecting occupational exposures to combustion byproducts, asbestos, diesel exhaust, and contaminated gear. These findings underscore the need for targeted prevention, screening, decontamination, and medical surveillance measures.
For the past 25 years, the Life Scan Wellness Centers have been the Nation’s largest provider of enhanced early detection for first responders. All Life Scan services are carefully selected to maintain the overall wellbeing of first responders, including their physical and mental health. The selection of services is based on the National Fire Protection Agency and the Fire Service Joint Labor Management Wellness-Fitness Initiative. These are the governing organizations that establish the health and wellness guidelines to which public safety officers comply. Should the City Council approve this agreement, Life Scan will provide the following services:
• Echocardiogram (Heart Ultrasound)
• Carotid Arteries Ultrasound
• Aorta and Aortic Valve Ultrasounds
• Liver Ultrasound
• Gall Bladder Ultrasound
• Kidneys Ultrasound
• Spleen Ultrasound
• Bladder Ultrasound
• Thyroid Ultrasound
• Men: Prostate and Testicular Ultrasounds
• Women: Ovaries and Uterus Ultrasounds
Overall, to better ensure the health and safety of Orange City Fire Fighters, staff recommends the City Council approve an agreement in an amount not to exceed $55,000 with Life Scan Wellness Centers.
7. ATTACHMENTS
• Professional Service Agreement with Life Scan Wellness Centers