Civilian Health and Wellness program offers wide array of services

  • Published
  • By Angelia Revada
  • Air Force Flight Test Center Manpower Office
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The Civilian wellness program was established in 1987 and has developed to offer a wide array of services here at Edwards.

The program provides screenings, tests, and vaccinations to the entire civilian workforce serviced by the civilian personnel flight.
 
Each event is announced through the Edwards Consolidated Announcement system sent out via e-mail by Public Affairs each week. Although a number of tests and screenings are already offered, suggestions are welcome for future screening ideas.

All events are free and no leave should be charged when participating in any program events. Participants should use JON #9905WH00 and Labor Code LN to ensure participation rate is accurately tracked.

Health Program
Currently the Health Program offers annual physical exams, influenza vaccinations, osteoporosis screenings, and a variety of cancer screenings. Two of the screenings added due to requests include the thyroid blood tests and Cardio C-Reactive Protein (Cardio CRP) blood tests. These events are offered at the wellness building located at 10 S. Seller Ave; however, nurses, doctors, and technicians are willing to travel to other locations.
 
Events can also be held at South base, Air Force Research Laboratory and as far away as Plant 42.

Fitness Time
A Memorandum of Agreement with American Federation of Government Employees was signed in 2005 agreeing to three hours of fitness time per week during duty hours. This allows employees time during the duty day to participate in fitness,exercise or wellness activities.
 
Civilians may take up to three hours per week with their supervisor's approval and contingent upon mission requirements. Many people assume that they have to go to the gym in order to use the fitness time but truthfully, employees can do any form of physical fitness as long as it is here on base.
 
Employees may not use the fitness time to exercise at home or anywhere off base, this includes the bike ride to the base entry. The three hours can be broken up in 1-1.5 hour sessions or may be taken all at once.
 
Prior to starting a fitness program employees need to see a physician for a physical. The physician will need to complete a form stating the participating employee is healthy enough for an exercise regimen; the authorization must be submitted to the employee's supervisor. For tracking purposes please use JON # 99056CFA and Labor Code LX.

For more information, contact Angelia Revada at 661-277-4629.