Health & Wellness Resource Center

Health & Wellness Resource Center

The Health & Wellness Resource Center is designed to help the members of the Fire/EMS Department navigate through the various services provided by the Health & Wellness Office.  The resources shared are meant to provide basic information; however, the office staff is available to assist with detailed information specific to your needs Monday through Friday from 0730 hours to 1600 hours.  For all health and wellness communication, please email Health_Wellness.PGFD@co.pg.md.us to ensure a member of our team will be able to assist you timely.  

The office is located at the Fire Services Building (FSB), 6820 Webster Street, Suite 120, Landover Hills, Maryland 20784.  Our phone number is (301) 583-1951.

 

Services Available to Our Members: 

 

The Resiliency Center

The department is committed to ensuring our workforce is supported in all ways possible.  The goal of the Resiliency Center is to guide members through the process of adapting in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats, or other significant sources of stress because resiliency among first responders is a job requirement.  For many career, civilian, and volunteer members, access to the Employee and Volunteer Assistance Program (EAP/VAP) services is critical to returning to a "pre-crisis" status as quickly as possible.

There are currently three (3) clinicians available to our members. They are Nicole Hester, Demitri Kornegay, and Latif Rasheed.

In addition to clinical support, the department provides additional mental/behavioral health resources through the Comfort Canine Program.  Firefighter/Paramedic Jordan Oglesby has taken on the role of Handler for the department's Golden Retriever, Blaze, who has undergone extensive obedience and service dog training so that he may help our members achieve some relief from the stress they face daily.  

Members also have access to a Peer Support Team as an additional resource.  This type of support comes from fellow first responders who know first-hand the types of emotional stress and mental health challenges our members face on a daily basis.  

The Resiliency Center team can be reached 24 hours a day by calling the Hotline at 301-883-3514 or via email at PGFDMentalHealth@co.pg.md.us

 

Physical Fitness Program(s)

Over the years, it's been proven that first responders require a higher level of physical fitness to meet the physical demands of the services they provide to the communities they work.  Physical fitness is also important to the health of the department's civilian members. Therefore, in 2022, the department opened the Fitness & Wellness Center located at 102 Shady Glen Road in Capitol Heights, Maryland.  The center is used to conduct the department's Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) and has a fully equipped gym, as well as classroom-style training and observatory areas.  It is staffed with a personal trainer available to help members meet their physical fitness needs.  Members can schedule time with the personal trainer by clicking here.

 

Nutrition and Weight Management Program(s)

With the physical demands of the emergency services provided by the department, it is imperative that our members maintain proper nutrition and weight.  One of the leading causes of illness and death for firefighters is heart disease.  There is evidence that connects this chronic and preventable disease to poor nutrition and obesity.  This is why the department is working diligently to develop and execute a comprehensive Nutrition and Weight Management Program for its members.  Stay tuned for more information.

 

Services Provided by the County

The County's Office of Human Resources Management (OHRM) has wellness services that can be accessed by our members by visiting the Wellness On-Demand page.  There, our members will be able to access a wealth of content available including cooking demonstrations, self-care tips, behavioral health information, fitness classes, and more.

Additionally, the County offers an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through INOVA.  All employees in the County can access this resource 24/7, 365 days per year.  Clinicians are available to triage calls and employees have access to a website with additional resources available to employees.  Please visit the webpage with details on the County's EAP by clicking here.

 

FML Request Forms

 

Family Medical Leave (FML) Request Form:

 

Employee's Serious Health Condition Form:

 

Family Member's Serious Health Condition:

 

Qualifying Exigency for Military Purposes:

 

Military Caregiver Leave of a Current Service Member:

 

Military Caregiver Leave of a Veteran: