A ribbon cutting ceremony was held July 24 for the Loveland-Symmes Fire Department (LSFD) Health and Wellness Center, 227 E Loveland Ave.
The center is a state-of-the-art fitness facility. From exercise equipment and physical therapy spaces to counseling rooms and relaxation areas, every aspect of the center has been designed with firefighters’ needs in mind. The space also will be used to provide physicals and behavioral/mental health services for first responders.
"Our firefighters are the backbone of our community, always ready to respond at a moment’s notice, facing risks and challengers to ensure our safety. Their physical and mental well-being is crucial, not only for their personal health but for the safety and efficiency of our entire community. This center represents our commitment to supporting them as they support us,” LSFD Chief Otto Huber said.
Today, firefighters are exposed to numerous cancer-causing agents through carcinogens that come in contact via skin and smoke exposure. Furthermore, firefighters and paramedics are subjected to high stress, which can lead to behavioral health issues.
LSFD, in partnership with Goshen Township Fire/EMS, received a federal FEMA grant of $441,725.88 and a $92,000 state grant to provide health, cancer, and behavior health screening services. Physicals will be provided by Frontline Mobile Health, a company that specializing in public safety professionals’ health care.
At the new center, firefighters will experience a battery of tests that will look at their overall health condition and look for problems lying in wait. Preventive tests like cancer screenings and bloodwork will be conducted to identify potential health problems. As part of the evaluations, the first responders also will receive mental health check-ins with Dr. Alana Brunacini, a behavioral health doctor who has been with LSFD for three years.