Independence Fire Department Invests in Firefighter Wellness, Training and Emergency Response

When residents call 911, they expect highly trained firefighters and paramedics to respond. 

For more than six years, the Independence Fire Department has partnered with Cleveland Clinic to provide comprehensive annual health screenings for every firefighter. The program was developed in response to the unique physical and mental demands of the profession, in which exposure to fire byproducts, high-stress incidents and strenuous activity can take a toll over the course of a career. 

“We wanted a program that was specific to firefighters,” says Fire Chief Steve Rega. “Cleveland Clinic came up with a very good model for us, and we’ve been with them ever since.” 

Wellness When Duty Calls 

Through Cleveland Clinic AtWork, firefighters receive annual physicals, blood work, hearing and vision screenings, cardiovascular evaluations and stress testing. The department also reviews aggregate health data to identify trends and opportunities for improvement. 

Firefighters also participate in annual mental wellness evaluations through the city’s Employee Assistance Program. The approach helps normalize conversations about mental health in a profession where exposure to traumatic events can accumulate over time.

“We’ve found that when everyone participates, the stigma is reduced,” Chief Rega says. 

The relationship with Cleveland Clinic also includes hands-on training opportunities. Each year, members of the Clinic’s Critical Care Transport Team — including pilots, physicians, nurse practitioners, critical care nurses and paramedics — train alongside Independence firefighters at the Civic Center and other city locations. The exercises combine classroom instruction with practical team-building scenarios designed to strengthen coordination during emergency responses. 

Also, Cleveland Clinic provides continuing education programs for Independence and neighboring fire departments on topics such as cardiac emergencies and advanced patient care. 

For Chief Rega, the investment in wellness, training and education serves a simple purpose: keeping firefighters healthy, prepared and ready to serve. The program benefits firefighters and the residents who depend on them when help is needed most.

“It allows our team to have less time off work due to injury, and if they do get injured, it gives us a path to get them back on the job as quickly as possible,” he says. 

Rapid Response Tools 

The department’s focus on wellness also influences the technology and equipment firefighters use every day.

“We look at how we can improve our processes and reduce how strenuous the work can be,” Chief Rega says.

This has led Independence to invest in equipment that improves patient care while reducing physical demands on first responders. Automated patient cots help minimize lifting injuries, while specialized equipment allows firefighters to perform physically demanding tasks more safely and efficiently.

The department is also embracing advances in emergency medical technology. New LIFEPAK 35 cardiac monitors provide enhanced patient monitoring capabilities and improved data integration, giving paramedics more information during critical incidents.

Another key tool is the department’s LUCAS 3, an automated CPR system that performs chest compressions during cardiac emergencies. The technology captures valuable data that can be reviewed by medical directors to evaluate performance and identify opportunities for improvement.

“This information allows us to look at the big picture and continually improve,” Chief Rega says.

The department is also using drones, which can provide situational awareness during emergencies, particularly along busy freeway corridors.

Meanwhile, Independence continues to make strategic investments in its fleet, Chief Rega adds. The city recently began remounting ambulance bodies onto new chassis rather than replacing entire vehicles, extending equipment life while reducing costs. 

 “Our goal is always to ensure that firefighters are healthy, prepared and equipped to serve the community,” he says.