A new primary care clinic focused on treating Seattle firefighters is set to open this week.
The clinic will be run by Qliance, a Seattle-based membership-based company, and will be located above Seattle’s Fire Station 2 in Belltown.
The International Association of Fire Fighters cites studies showing firefighters face a high risk for heart disease, cancer, chronic respiratory disease, hepatitis and stress.
“There’s a great opportunity here to intervene early and help them prevent those things from developing in the first place, ideally,” said Erika Bliss, MD, and CEO of Qliance.
Bliss said Qliance will be able to cater its care to firefighters, who will have access to a streamlined version of the firefighter physical.
The clinic is being paid for through the Seattle Fire Fighters Health Care Trust.
“Because of the nature of our business, we also need unique health care and a unique program to make sure firefighters are as healthy as possible,” said Kenny Stuart, President of IAFF Local 27.
This clinic includes a physical therapy room and an X-ray room.