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Oak Creek authorizes fire-department fitness and rehab agreement with Eratas for $12,000 a year
Summary
The Common Council approved a contract with Eratas Physical Therapy (Eratas Performance) to provide individualized on-site fitness training and rehabilitative services for the fire department at a cost of $12,000 annually; the chief said the program is mandatory and aims to reduce downtime from musculoskeletal injuries.
Fire Chief Mike Kresick presented a proposed agreement with Eratas Physical Therapy (branded in the transcript as Eratas Performance) to provide individualized fitness assessments, performance programs and rehabilitative services to Oak Creek fire personnel. The council adopted the resolution authorizing the agreement.
Kresick said a committee of labor and department members examined the prior program and recommended a provider focused on individualized analysis rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. "Each of our members would be interviewed and assessed, and a performance improvement program will be developed for each of them," Kresick said. He said the contract cost under the proposed agreement is $12,000 per year, below the $16,000 the city had budgeted for the prior program.
Kresick described the program as mandatory for personnel and said the department expects some benefits for injury prevention and faster return-to-duty. He cited recorded annual musculoskeletal injuries of roughly six to 12 per year in 2021 data but cautioned the reporting system has limits.
Council members asked about cost structure and whether the one-time fee is recurring; Kresick said the $12,000 would be an ongoing annual cost with possible increases up to 3% per year and that per-member fluctuations are possible as staffing changes. The council adopted the authorization by roll-call vote.
