Mayor James J. Fiorentini > Press Release

Press release – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 18, 2008

MAYOR AND FIREFIGHTERS UNION KICK OFF
CITY’S NEW HEALTH AND WELLNESS INITIATIVE

Mayor James J. Fiorentini today announced that he would be kicking off a City wide wellness initiative for city employees starting on April 30th. The Mayor said he was doing so at the request and urging of City Firefighters Union 1011.

The Mayor said that the new initiative would start on April 30th with free blood pressure checks for all city employees and would kick off a “Talk a Walk During Lunch” starting on that date. The health initiative will also include periodic free blood pressure checks for employees, education programs for employees on changing lifestyle, cancer screenings, and other means of promoting wellness.

Mayor Fiorentini said that he initiated the program at the request of the Haverhill Firefighters Union:

“I’m delighted to work with the Firefighters Union in a joint venture to keep our employees healthy and lower healthcare costs.

“Having well-educated, fit employees is the most important thing we can do in the long-term to lower healthcare costs for all.

“No group is more aware of the importance of keeping physically fit than firefighters.

“Those programs will include exercise and diet programs, programs to educate employees about benefits we already have for physical fitness.

“We will to start the program on April 30th with a noon-time walking program. Numerous studies have shown that the most important thing that anyone can do to improve their health is moderate exercise. A daily walking program helps to lower the risk of heart attacks, strokes, diabetes and even the risk of certain cancers.”