Agenda Item Request:
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Authorization of the Public Safety Health and Wellness Reimbursement Fund and Project
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Background and Purpose of Request:
Requestor: Sheriff Kevin Joyce, Sheriff's Office
Would you spend $849.00 to save $450,000.00? The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) estimates the cost of recovery after a heart attack for a public safety employee at $450,000.00.
During the 131st Legislative Session, a bill was brought forth to support Public Safety Health and Wellness. As a result of this support, a pilot project was established to partially fund a Public Safety Health and Wellness project over the next two years.
Through this pilot project the legislature appropriated $2 million to provide to public safety personnel, which includes all fire personnel, EMS personnel, local and county law enforcement, county corrections staff, and communications staff. This is to be distributed statewide through the Maine State Fire Marshal's Office.
Recently, some stakeholders met with the State Fire Marshal to determine how the $2 million should be distributed to public safety personnel throughout the state. It was determined that the only fair way distribute the funding to all of the public safety officers throughout the State of Maine, was to distribute the funds proportionately by each county's population.
A quick look at the available funding shows that not all public safety members in the state will be served.
If successful, the Legislature intends to continue the financial support of this program through the taxes collected on the sale of Cannabis throughout the state.
With the Cumberland County Commissioners' approval, we would use our portion of the funding for specialized cardiac and metabolic screening that provides a medical consultation and an individualized plan, including nutrition, fitness, and wellness recommendations to the employee when appropriate. The results of the screening and any advice for the continued t...
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