Aceso Medical is pleased to introduce Dr. Olumide Asaolu, an accomplished physician whose extensive experience in family medicine, occupational health, chronic disease management, and high-risk clinical environments positions him as a valuable partner in safeguarding firefighter health and readiness. Dr. Asaolu is a Certificant of the Canadian Board of Occupational Medicine (CCBOM) and a certified Medical Review Officer (MROCC, USA). With over two decades of medical practice across Canada and internationally, he brings an exceptional depth of clinical judgment, adaptability, and a strong commitment to patient-centered care. His professional career includes leadership in long-term care, community family practice, emergency response, communicable disease management, addiction medicine, and occupational medicine. As a Clinical Lecturer at the University of Alberta, Dr. Asaolu is actively involved in training the next generation of physicians, reinforcing his dedication to continuous learning and evidence-based practice. His experience spans diverse settings, including long-term care facilities, rural hospitals, occupational medicine clinics, and specialized care environments where rapid assessment, complex decision-making, and collaborative team-based care are essential.

Firefighting is a profession with unique and significant health risks. Dr. Asaolu’s background in chronic disease management, preventive care, occupational medicine, acute care, and trauma response uniquely equips him to conduct thorough, risk-informed assessments for firefighters. His skills align well with the medical complexities commonly seen in fire service personnel, including:

•Cardiovascular stress from intense physical exertion

•Respiratory hazards such as smoke, particulates, and toxic chemical exposure

•Musculoskeletal strain and injuries

•Heat stress, dehydration, and fatigue

•Communicable disease exposures

•Mental health and addiction-related vulnerabilities

•Increased cancer risk from exposure to carcinogens such as benzene, formaldehyde, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Dr. Asaolu’s work in preventive care, occupational surveillance, chronic disease management, and addiction medicine strengthens his ability to identify early warning signs and intervene proactively—critical components of firefighter health protection.

Firefighters face a level of risk unmatched in most professions. Annual occupational medical assessments are a cornerstone of maintaining operational readiness and long-term health. These exams: •Detect early signs of cancer, cardiovascular disease, respiratory impairment, and other conditions through detailed medical history, multi-system physical exams, cancer screenings, imaging, and lab tests

•Establish baseline health indicators and track changes over time

•Support early intervention and rehabilitation

•Reinforce a culture of safety, prevention, and wellness

These assessments are not a replacement for an annual visit with a family physician.

Occupational exams focus specifically on job-related risks, while personal physicians oversee broader preventive care, chronic disease management, and individualized long-term health planning. Together, they provide firefighters with the most complete picture of their health.

A Commitment to Firefighter Wellness

With his strong clinical background, occupational health expertise, advanced certifications, teaching experience, and dedication to compassionate, patient-centered care, Dr. Olumide Asaolu is exceptionally well-positioned to support the health, safety, and resilience of Edmonton Fire Rescue Services personnel. His partnership with the department reinforces a shared commitment to early detection, prevention, and maintaining the highest standards of firefighter wellness and readiness.

Aceso Medical is pleased to introduce Dr. Olumide Asaolu, an accomplished physician whose extensi... Read More

Aceso Medical is pleased to announce the introduction of Dr. Roisin Dempsey. Edmonton Fire Rescue Services depends on a workforce capable of meeting the extreme physical, psychological, and environmental demands of frontline emergency response. Their annual medical program plays a vital role in maintaining the health, safety, and operational readiness of firefighters across the city. Supporting this mission requires physicians with deep expertise in occupational health, emergency medicine, and complex return-to-work evaluations. Dr. Roisin Dempsey is one such physician—bringing nearly two decades of cross-disciplinary medical experience to the EFRS annual medical program through her role with ACESO Medical.

She is exceptionally qualified to guide firefighter medical assessments, and monitor health risks.

Over the years, she’s completed extensive training, including the University of Alberta’s Foundation Course in Occupational Medicine and earning her ACBOM certification in 2022. She also holds her Emergency Medicine designation (CCFP-EM), so she’s skilled in assessing and managing the kinds of acute medical situations firefighters may encounter on and off the job. Earlier in her career, she completed a Certificate in Medical Education, became a certified member of the College of Family Physicians of Canada, and gained membership in the Irish College of General Practitioners. Her education also includes a Diploma in Women’s Health, a Diploma in Clinical Psychiatry, and a Master’s degree in Sports Medicine and Exercise—training that helps her understand the physical demands, strain, and long-term health considerations that come with physically intense work like firefighting. She completed her medical degree at University College Cork. Dr. Dempsey’s clinical foundation spans comprehensive training in family medicine, emergency medicine, occupational medicine, and medical education.

Why Your Annual Medical Matters

Firefighting places extraordinary demands on the body and mind, and the risks you face—both on the fireground and over the course of a career—are very real. Your annual medical assessment is designed with those realities in mind. It’s not just a checkup; it’s a chance to make sure you’re staying healthy, strong, and ready for the work you do every day.

As firefighters, you routinely push your cardiovascular system to its limits. You’re exposed to smoke, toxins, and combustion by-products that can impact your lungs and long-term respiratory health. The physical nature of your job—carrying gear, operating heavy equipment, working in awkward positions—can take a toll on your muscles and joints. Add to that the heat, long hours, operational stress, and the mental load of responding to high-stakes, often traumatic calls, and the cumulative impact is significant. We also know that firefighters face a higher risk of developing certain cancers due to exposure to carcinogens such as benzene, formaldehyde, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons—hazards that are unavoidable in your line of work. Research shows that firefighters are at increased risk for at least twenty different cancers compared to the general population, which is why early detection is so important.

That’s where the annual occupational medical assessment comes in. This appointment gives us the opportunity to look closely at your overall health—reviewing your medical history, performing a head-to-toe physical exam, and completing the screenings, imaging, and lab work that help identify health issues early, often before you feel any symptoms yourself. Your program is built on the NFPA 1580 Standard for Emergency Responder Occupational Health and Wellness, which the City of Edmonton has adopted to help guide the development of your medical assessment program. These standards outline exactly what an occupational health evaluation for firefighters should include, ensuring consistency, quality, and a proactive focus on long-term wellness. By following these guidelines—and by working together, one-on-one—we have a real opportunity to spot risks early, monitor changes over time, and support you in staying healthy throughout your career. My goal is simple: to help keep you safe, strong, and ready for the job, today and for many years to come.

Dr. Dempsey’s commitment to evidence-based practice, comprehensive assessment, and collaborative case management ensures that Edmonton’s firefighters receive high-quality evaluations aligned with national best practices and the latest NFPA guidance.

Aceso Medical is pleased to announce the introduction of Dr. Roisin Dempsey. Edmonton Fire Rescue... Read More

Aceso Medical is pleased to introduce Dr. Olajide (Jide) Alfred Durojaye, MBBS, MPH, MRCGP, CCFP, LMCC, ACBOM (Associate) Dr. Jide Durojaye, a physician whose career has taken him across three countries and more than twenty years of diverse medical practice. He brings a unique blend of family medicine, occupational health, emergency care, and public health experience—making him an excellent fit for supporting the well being of first responders such as EFRS.

Dr. Durojaye is a Family Physician with advanced training in occupational medicine, supporting the health and wellbeing of members through the EFRS & EFFU Joint Health and Wellness Program.

He completed his medical degree (MBBS) in Nigeria in 2000 and later earned a Master of Public Health (MPH) in Scotland. His postgraduate training in the United Kingdom included specialist training in Family Medicine (MRCGP), with clinical experience in urgent care, emergency medicine, internal medicine, psychiatry, and out of hours services.

After relocating to Canada, Dr. Durojaye obtained his Certification in the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CCFP) and Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada (LMCC), and subsequently earned his Associate of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine – ACBOM (Associate). His Alberta practice has included occupational medical assessments, workplace injury management, medical surveillance, and long term health monitoring for workers in physically and psychologically demanding roles.

Dr. Durojaye is also a Clinical Lecturer at the University of Alberta and a Board Member with the St. Albert Primary Care Network.

Why the Annual Occupational Medical Assessments Are So Important

The NFPA 1580 Standard lays out clear, well established standards specifically designed for the fire service, focusing on the cardiovascular, respiratory, and musculoskeletal systems that keep you healthy and able to perform at your best.

At EFRS, your annual occupational medical assessment not only follows these standards—it exceeds them to give you a thorough and supportive look at your overall health.

Just as important, this assessment is completely non punitive. It’s about helping you understand how you’re doing, catching issues early, and making sure you have the right resources in place to stay strong and well throughout your career. By going above and beyond NFPA 1580 standards, EFRS is investing in your long term health, safety, and readiness—supporting you in the demanding, essential work you do every day. Firefighting is physically intense, mentally demanding, and often unpredictable. Annual occupational medical assessments help catch potential health issues early and ensure firefighters can safely perform their duties. These assessments help:

•Identify risks early, especially cardiovascular and metabolic conditions that may not show symptoms until serious.

•Protect firefighters in hazardous environments, where heat, smoke, and toxic exposures increase long term risk.

•Support long, healthy careers by monitoring fitness, lung function, hearing, mental health, and chronic conditions.

•Align with and exceed the national safety standards (NFPA 1580), empowering all members to reach and exceed essential health benchmarks

•Strengthen operational readiness—healthy firefighters perform better, recover faster, and are safer on scene.

Annual occupational medical assessments are a proactive investment in firefighter safety and well being.

What Dr. Durojaye Brings to EFRS and the Annual Occupational Medical Assessments

What stands out most is how naturally Dr. Durojaye’s experience aligns with the demands of supporting a fire service, such as EFRS:

•Strong background in occupational and workplace health

•Confidence managing urgent and emergency presentations

•Deep experience with mental health, including youth and adult psychiatry

•A preventive and team based approach shaped by his public health training

•A collaborative mindset that fits well with NFPA 1580 aligned program standards

He brings both compassion and practical experience—an ideal combination for working with first responders.

Aceso Medical is pleased to introduce Dr. Olajide (Jide) Alfred Durojaye, MBBS, MPH, MRCGP, CCFP,... Read More

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