SFFD department physician outlines duties, warns mandatory health screens stalled as members distrust program

Summary

Department physician Dr. Ramon Terrazas told the commission his office focuses on candidate medical exams, return-to-duty and OSHA compliance, but said mandatory periodic exams were suspended for low participation; union representatives said members lack confidence in the physician's office and cited delays in return-to-duty cases.

Dr. Ramon Terrazas, the San Francisco Fire Department's department physician, told the Fire Commission that the physician's office exists to "protect the health and safety of the members of the department," describing routine duties including entry-level physicals, promotional and probationary exams, return-to-duty and fitness-for-duty evaluations, respirator certification and hearing and TB testing.

Terrazas said the office performs comprehensive medical testing (laboratory tests, EKG, spirometry and audiometry) for candidates and current members who require certification to perform job duties. He described ongoing programs for respiratory protection and hearing, and said TB testing logistics and annual hearing testing are being rethought to move toward mobile testing platforms that could serve individual battalions.

Commissioners…

SFFD department physician outlines duties, warns mandatory health screens stalled as members distrust program

Summary

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