Emergency Management Exercise Program, Essay Example

An emergency management organization should establish a comprehensive physical fitness program to ensure that its employees are prepared for many different types of disasters and possess the agility and strength to accomplish these objectives. An exercise program is highly beneficial within this type of organization as a means of maintaining a minimum level of fitness to provide support during the emergency response process (Santa Clara County Fire Department). An effective level of emergency preparedness is dependent upon these objectives and the ability of employees to be physically fit, flexible, and agile at all times (Santa Clara County Fire Department).

The US Department of Health and Human Services’ Federal Occupational Health program is available for use, in addition to a specialized program known as FedStrive, which is comprised of health and wellness initiatives for federal employees (Federal Occupational Health, 2013). The US Army has established physical fitness programs for its civilian employees so that they improve their health and are physically capable of handling any emergencies that might arise (Wenger, 2013). Also, the Office of Personnel Management has created a number of options for federal employees across a variety of agencies to improve their physical fitness and wellbeing (Wenger, 2013).

Each of the services provided by the federal government play an important role in determining how individual organizations might better prepare themselves in the event of an emergency. The development of these programs is often coordinated with guidance from the Office of Personnel Management in order to ensure that employees are receiving the time and resources that are necessary to participate in physical fitness programs, exercise routines, and nutritional programs to improve their personal health and wellbeing and their level of preparation for emergencies (Wenger, 2013).

References

Federal Occupational Health (2013). Retrieved from http://www.foh.hhs.gov/

Santa Clara County Fire Department. Training: physical fitness program. Retrieved from http://www.sccfd.org/physical_fitness.html

Wenger, Y. (2013). Federal workers get health and fitness programs. Retrieved from

http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2013-06-14/health/bs-md-healthy-federal-worker-20130614_1_fitness-two-gymnasiums-fort-meade