The Omaha Police Officers and Their Wellness Program has been in place for four years now and has been successful in keeping them healthy. The program was launched in his 2019 year and required participants to first complete a baseline health exam before starting their workouts. That health checkup saves lives. “Of the people who went for a health check during this period, there were four who realized they were in an emergency situation while undergoing the health check, but they didn't realize it.” said Lt. Steve Fornoff, who assisted in the undercover interview. Data on life expectancy and heart disease prevalence among police officers. “We saved four people there alone,” he said. Fornoff said the average person's life expectancy is about 79 years, but for police officers it is 57 years. The stress of police work and lifestyle choices, he said, contributes to an excess of heart disease among police officers. Fornov, who helped launch the wellness program, said there are currently about 200 people participating in the OPD program, where they complete a series of 45-minute exercises twice a year that are timed and ranked. ing. according to their fitness level. Evaluations include push-ups, sit-ups, running, rowing, and other exercises. The department recently hired UNO exercise science students to help with evaluations and teach proper technique. “If he passes and gets a high score on the test, he will also get almost a week of vacation,” Fornov said. In addition to vacation incentives, the program also provides an equipment budget that can be used for fitness equipment and gym memberships. Fornov said the department will add a nutritionist to the program this year to help officers make better food choices. Fornov continues his own fitness journey. After he stopped taking his high cholesterol medication and started exercising, he was able to lose 40 pounds, prepare for a fitness assessment, and change his eating habits. “My joints are feeling better. My back is feeling better,” said Fornov, who is setting an example for his team. He said Police Chief Todd Schmaderer also participates in the wellness program and evaluation. “When you do this job, you eat poorly. When you do this job, you spend a lot of time sitting in a cruiser and driving back and forth,” said Tom Deignan, a member of the health committee. said Sgt. Deignan works out every day to prevent injury, and those exercises are part of his daily routine, he said. “It's a good way to end the day and a good way to start the day,” he said. The officer, Ashley Mathisen, is a college soccer player, and she said: She continued her training and became a force. “For me, I would say it's a way to release stress. It's a way for me to keep a healthy mindset and be more confident in myself,” she said. Wellness programs not only reduce stress and hopefully help police officers live longer, healthier lives, but they also save money on medical costs. “Last year, in 2023, our department cut health care costs in half, and we believe this is because everyone has access to health care.”He said that across the department, about 20 percent of participants He said he hopes that number continues to grow, as nearly every school district has a fitness room. Click here for the latest headlines on KETV NewsWatch 7
The Omaha Police Officers and Their Wellness Program has been in place for four years now and has been successful in keeping them healthy.
The program was launched in 2019 and required participants to first complete a baseline physical exam before beginning their workouts.
That physical thing is saving lives.
“Of the people who went for a health check during this period, there were four who realized they were in an emergency situation while undergoing the health check, but they didn't realize it.” said Lt. Steve Fornoff, who assisted in the undercover interview. Data on life expectancy and heart disease prevalence among police officers.
“We saved four people there alone,” he said.
Fornoff said the average person's life expectancy is about 79 years, but for police officers it is 57 years. The stress of police work and lifestyle choices, he said, contributes to an excess of heart disease among police officers.
“We're dying much younger and that's because of all the stress we experience at work,” said Fornoff, who helped launch the wellness program.
Approximately 200 people currently participate in the OPD program, completing a series of 45-minute exercises twice a year that are timed and ranked based on fitness level. Evaluations include push-ups, sit-ups, running, rowing, and other exercises. The department recently hired UNO exercise science students to help with evaluations and teach proper technique.
“If you pass and get a high score on the test, you can get almost an extra week of vacation,” Fornov said. In addition to vacation incentives, the program also provides an equipment budget that can be used for fitness equipment and gym memberships.
Fornov said the department will add a nutritionist to the program this year to help officers make better food choices.
Fornov continues on his own fitness journey. He started exercising, prepared for a fitness assessment, changed his diet, was able to stop taking the medication he was taking for high cholesterol, and lost 40 pounds. I was able to.
“My joints are feeling better. My back is feeling better,” said Fornov, who is setting an example for his team. He said Police Chief Todd Schmaderer also participates in the wellness program and evaluation.
“When you do this job, you eat poorly. When you do this job, you spend a lot of time sitting in a cruiser and driving back and forth,” said Tom Deignan, a member of the health committee. said Sgt.
Deignan said he trains every day to prevent injuries and those workouts are part of his daily routine.
“It’s a good way to end the day and a good way to start the day,” he said.
Officer Ashley Matthiessen is a college soccer player who said she joined the force because of her training. “For me, I would say it's a way to release stress. It's a way for me to keep a healthy mindset and be more confident in myself,” she said.
Wellness programs not only reduce stress and hopefully help police officers live longer, healthier lives, but they also save money on medical costs.
“Last year in 2023, the sector cut health care costs in half, and we believe that is because all people receive medical checkups,” Fornov said.
He said there is about 20 percent participation across the precincts and he hopes to see that number continue to grow, as nearly every precinct has a fitness room.
Click here for the latest headlines on KETV NewsWatch 7
