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Chambers County Approves Voluntary Wellness Screening for First Responders
Summary
The county approved a voluntary, HIPAA‑compliant wellness screening program for up to about 200 full‑time first responders and emergency personnel, with an estimated first‑year cost of about $924 per participant; commissioners approved the program and asked for the fiscal note.
Chambers County Commissioners Court approved a voluntary screening and wellness program for full‑time first responders on Sept. 23.
Chief Skyler Hearn told the court the program is designed for deputies, constables, fire and EMS personnel, jail staff (including nurses) and dispatchers — roughly 200 people in total — and described it as HIPAA‑compliant and voluntary. He said the initial screening costs approximately $924 per employee for the first year, producing a maximum county cost of about $187,000 if participation were 100 percent. "The company says generally in the programs they're doing around the country about 85% participation," Hearn said.
Supporters said prevention and early detection can avert costly medical events and lower long‑term benefits and workers’ compensation costs. The court approved the program and requested a fiscal-note entry in the county budget for the related expense. County wellness staff will coordinate rollout beginning with the sheriff’s office and then extend to EMS and other departments on a voluntary basis.
