PERMA Partners with New York State Fire Chiefs for Pioneer Award and MiniGrant Program

NYSAFC has partnered with the Public Employer Risk Management Association, Inc. (PERMA) to promote firefighter safety and health in New York state through two award programs – the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs Pioneer Award and the Firefighter Risk Reduction MiniGrant Program. Recipients of the 2018 awards were announced on May 23, 2019, during the PERMA Annual Membership Conference at the Sagamore Resort in Bolton Landing, N.Y.

PERMA and NYSAFC presented the 2018 New York State Association of Fire Chiefs Pioneer Award to Henrietta Fire District. The Pioneer Award recognizes the district’s innovative ways to address the specific challenges of a diverse workforce.

The Henrietta Fire District exemplified innovation through unique health and safety programs to address topics such as firefighter nutrition, firefighter mental health and wellness, and strength and fitness training focusing on the functional movements of firefighting. While these topics have not been traditionally addressed in the past, their importance is beginning to be recognized. The Henrietta Fire District has incorporated these emerging topics into a comprehensive employee safety program, demonstrating an eagerness for innovation and dedication to the health and wellness of its firefighters.

PERMA and NYSAFC are also pleased to acknowledge the following member departments as recipients of grant awards through the Firefighter Risk Reduction MiniGrant Program. The purpose of this program is to financially assist member departments of both PERMA and NYSAFC in obtaining equipment that will help reduce injury and illness within their agencies.

Monies were awarded in the following four categories: gear dryer and washer, power stretcher, hose management system, and items for rehabilitation systems. As the result of 5-year review of PERMA claims, it was identified that lower back strain and heat exhaustion were the two leading injuries/illnesses for both career and volunteer firefighters. During a 3-month application period, 24 applications were reviewed and considered for the listed categories. PERMA and NYSAFC awarded a total of $45,000 to the following grantees:

Gear washer and dryer awardees: East Aurora Fire Department, East Hampton Fire Department, Village of Port Chester Fire Department, and Village of Scotia Fire Department.

Power stretcher awardees: village of Manlius and village of Springville.

Rehabilitation unit awardees: Greenville Fire District and North East Joint Fire District.

Power hose roller awardees: Arlington Fire District, village of Croton-on-Hudson, Guilderland Fire District, and Onesquethaw Volunteer Fire Company.

PERMA and NYSAFC will continue to conduct ongoing evaluations of agencies awarded equipment to determine the equipment’s effectiveness in preventing illness and injury.