What do you do when a firefighter has an injury? Here are some steps to take after the injury has occurred:

• ·         Firefighter promptly reports injury to Chief, officer or human resource department to start the return to work process. L&I or self insurance claim is generated and accident report form is filled out using lni.wa.gov/filefast or by department policy. A claim number is usually generated.
• ·         Chief or Officer sends firefighter to health care provider with a return to work package. This usually includes the department’s SOG or SOP with return to work instructions, Job Analysis and Job Description forms for both Full and Light Duty.
• ·         After examination, the Health Care Provider signs an Activity Prescription Form for: A) Release for full duty based on the Full Duty Job Description Form. B) Release for Light duty on Light Duty Job Description form. C) Injured firefighter is not released for any work at the time.
• ·         Firefighter is offered a light duty position which must be approved by his or her Health Care Provider on the Light Duty Job Description Form or by letter. The Stay at Work Program may reimburse departments for up to 50% of light duty wages paid for up to 66 days ($10,000 maximum).
• ·         After a period of recovery time, firefighter is reassessed by Health Care Provider and the assessment in step 3 is repeated. If cleared to return to work, Firefighter is released on Full Duty Job Description Form.
• ·         If injury caused an extended absence, Training Officer has firefighter complete re-entry program and verifies full duty readiness. The program is designed to make the transition back to full duty and reduce skill degradation.
• ·         FIREFIGHTER IS RETURNED TO FULL DUTY!
  
  

Find free Return to Work resources for Fire Agencies, including sample forms, program details and information here: https://www.washingtonfirechiefs.com/Resources/TimelossResources.aspx