Aceso Medical is pleased to introduce Dr. Olumide Asaolu, an accomplished occupational health physician who is working in partnership with the EFRS & EFFU Joint Health & Wellness Program to support firefighter health, safety, and long-term wellness.

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 in occupational medicine and high-risk clinical environments across Canada and internationally, he brings extensive experience in occupational surveillance, preventive medicine, and health assessments for safety-sensitive workforces.

His professional background includes occupational medicine, chronic disease management as it relates to workplace health, preventive care, emergency response, and medical decision-making in complex operational settings. This experience directly supports the unique demands of fire service medicine.

Occupational Health Expertise for Firefighters

Firefighting is a profession associated with significant physical, environmental, and physiological risks. Dr. Asaolu’s occupational health expertise equips him to conduct thorough, risk informed annual occupational medical assessments that align with — and exceed — the NFPA 1580 Standard for Emergency Responder Occupational Health and Wellness, as adopted by the EFRS & EFFU Joint Health & Wellness Program.

His work focuses on identifying, monitoring, and mitigating job related health risks commonly encountered by firefighters, including:

• Cardiovascular stress related to intense physical exertion

• Respiratory exposure to smoke, particulates, and toxic substances

• Musculoskeletal strain and injury

• Heat stress, dehydration, and fatigue

• Communicable disease exposure

• Mental health and addiction related occupational risk factors

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

Dr. Asaolu’s background in occupational surveillance and preventive medicine supports early identification of developing conditions and proactive intervention — key elements of firefighter health protection.

Annual Occupational Medical Assessments

Annual occupational medical assessments are a cornerstone of maintaining firefighter wellness and supporting a safe, sustainable fire service. These completely confidential and non punitive assessments are conducted solely to promote health, prevention, and early intervention These comprehensive evaluations:

• Detect early signs of cardiovascular disease, cancer, respiratory impairment, and other occupationally relevant conditions through detailed medical history, multi system physical examinations, imaging, and laboratory testing

• Establish baseline health indicators and monitor changes over time

• Support early intervention, accommodation, and rehabilitation where appropriate

• Reinforce a culture of prevention, safety, and wellness

All occupational medical assessments are conducted with the highest standards of medical confidentiality. Personal health information is handled in accordance with applicable privacy legislation and professional standards, with information disclosed only as required within the scope of the occupational health program. These occupational assessments do not replace care from a personal family physician. While occupational exams focus on workplace related health risks, personal physicians continue to manage overall preventive care, chronic conditions, and individualized long term health planning. Together, these complementary roles support a comprehensive approach to firefighter health.

A Commitment to EFRS Firefighter Wellness

Through his work with the EFRS & EFFU Joint Health & Wellness Program, Dr. Olumide Asaolu supports a shared commitment to early detection, prevention, and maintaining the highest standards of firefighter wellness.

With his certifications, occupational health expertise, and patient centred approach, Dr. Asaolu is well positioned to contribute meaningfully to the long term health, resilience, and sustainability of Edmonton Fire Rescue Services personnel.

Aceso Medical is pleased to introduce Dr. Olumide Asaolu, an accomplished occupational health phy... Read More

Aceso Medical is pleased to introduce Dr. Olajide (Jide) Alfred Durojaye, MBBS, MPH, MRCGP, CCFP, LMCC, ACBOM (Associate).

Dr. Jide Durojaye is a Family Physician with advanced training in occupational medicine, bringing more than 20 years of international medical experience focused on supporting workers in physically and psychologically demanding roles. His background makes him particularly well suited to support members of Edmonton Fire Rescue Services (EFRS) through the EFRS & EFFU Joint Health & Wellness Program.

Dr. Durojaye’s clinical work is centered on occupational health, including annual occupational medical assessments, workplace injury management, medical surveillance, and long-term health monitoring. His practice emphasizes the early identification of health risks, prevention of occupational illness, and support for sustained health and wellness over the course of a firefighter’s career. He completed his medical degree (MBBS) in Nigeria in 2000 and later earned a Master of Public Health (MPH) in Scotland, which informs his preventive, population-based approach to occupational health. His postgraduate training in the United Kingdom included specialist training in Family Medicine (MRCGP), with experience supporting urgent and acute presentations that intersect with workplace health concerns.

After relocating to Canada, Dr. Durojaye obtained Certification from the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CCFP) and Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada (LMCC). He further strengthened his occupational health expertise by earning Associate certification with the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACBOM).

In Alberta, Dr. Durojaye has worked extensively with workers in high-demand occupations, supporting both physical and mental health through proactive monitoring, early identification of risk factors, and alignment with evidence-based occupational health standards. ______________ Why Annual Occupational Medical Assessments Matter

Annual occupational medical assessments are a cornerstone of firefighter health and wellness. The NFPA 1580 Standard provides clear guidance for protecting the cardiovascular, respiratory, and musculoskeletal systems that are essential to firefighting work. At EFRS, annual occupational medical assessments are designed to align with—and exceed—NFPA 1580 standards, offering a comprehensive, confidential, and non punitive review of job-related health considerations. Firefighting is physically intense, mentally demanding, and unpredictable. Occupational medical assessments help identify potential health issues early and promote long-term safety, performance, and well-being. These assessments help to:

• Identify health risks early, particularly cardiovascular and metabolic conditions that may otherwise go undetected

• Protect firefighters working in hazardous environments, including exposure to heat, smoke, and toxic substances • Support long, healthy careers through monitoring of fitness, lung function, hearing, mental health, and chronic conditions

• Align with—and exceed—national safety standards (NFPA 1580)

• Strengthen overall operational readiness, contributing to safer and more sustainable fire service operations

Annual occupational medical assessments are a proactive investment in firefighter safety and well being. ______________ Occupational Care and Primary Care: A Complementary Approach

Annual occupational medical assessments do not replace regular care with a family physician. Occupational assessments focus specifically on job-related health risks and exposures, while personal physicians oversee broader preventive care, chronic disease management, and individualized long-term health planning. Together, they provide firefighters with a more complete picture of their overall health. ______________ What Dr. Durojaye Brings to EFRS

Dr. Durojaye’s experience closely aligns with the realities of fire service work:

•Extensive experience in occupational and workplace health

•Strong background in annual occupational medical assessments and medical surveillance

•Experience supporting mental health in high stress occupations

•A preventive, public health informed approach to workforce wellness

•A collaborative, standards-based practice aligned with NFPA 1580 and the EFRS & EFFU Joint Health & Wellness Program

Dr. Durojaye brings a balanced, evidence-based, and firefighter focused approach—supporting members in maintaining health, safety, and resilience throughout their careers.

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

Aceso Medical is pleased to introduce Dr. Manoj Saraswat, an Occupational Medicine physician who is working in partnership with the EFRS & EFFU Joint Health & Wellness Program to support the health, safety, and operational readiness of Edmonton Fire Rescue Services members.

Dr. Saraswat is a Royal College–certified specialist in Public Health & Preventive Medicine with Royal College-accredited subspecialty training in Occupational Medicine, bringing a focused, evidence based approach to occupational health in high demand, safety sensitive environments. His clinical practice centers on understanding how work exposures, physical demands, and complex medical conditions intersect with functional performance and long term career sustainability.

Occupational Health Background and Expertise

Dr. Saraswat’s training includes an undergraduate foundation in kinesiology, a Master of Health Sciences in Environmental Health from Johns Hopkins University, residency training in Family Medicine and Public Health & Preventive Medicine, and subspecialty residency training in Occupational Medicine at the University of Alberta.

His occupational medicine experience spans diverse and complex work environments, including healthcare, energy, aviation, workers’ compensation systems, and provincial and federal agencies, including the Department of National Defence. This breadth enables him to assess occupational exposures, functional capacity, work readiness, and medical risk in employees performing physically and cognitively demanding roles, including emergency responders.

Dr. Saraswat is a Certificant of the College of Family Physicians of Canada, a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, a Transport Canada Marine Medical Examiner, and a Certified in Public Health (CPH) designee from the National Board of Public Health Examiners. His academic work includes more than ten peer reviewed publications and contributions to occupational and environmental medicine education and policy.

Why Annual Occupational Medical Assessments Matter — and the Role of NFPA 1580

Firefighters and emergency responders face unique physical, cognitive, and environmental demands. Through the EFRS & EFFU Joint Health & Wellness Program, confidential and non-punitive Annual Occupational Medical Assessments play a critical role in maintaining a healthy, capable, and operationally ready workforce.

These assessments support both members and the organization by:

• Tracking health changes over time and identifying opportunities for early intervention.

• Monitoring the cumulative effects of occupational exposures across a firefighter’s career.

• Supporting long term career health through wellness monitoring, education, and timely referral when needed.

• Identifying workforce level health patterns and emerging risks to inform training, equipment, and safety strategies.

EFRS’s program is aligned with — and exceeds — the NFPA 1580 Standard for Emergency Responder Occupational Health and Wellness, which provides evidence based guidance specific to fire service personnel, with particular emphasis on cardiovascular, respiratory, and musculoskeletal health. Adherence to these standards reflects EFRS’s commitment to prevention, consistency, and sustained operational performance.

Annual occupational medical assessments do not replace routine care with a family physician, but instead provide a focused evaluation of occupational risk and fitness in the context of emergency response work.

What Dr. Saraswat Brings to the Annual Occupational Medical Assessment

Through his work with the EFRS & EFFU Joint Health & Wellness Program, Dr. Saraswat contributes:

• A strong understanding of how occupational exposures and job demands influence health and performance.

• Expertise in functional capacity and work readiness assessment across physically demanding industries.

• A public health and preventive medicine perspective, supporting both individual care and system level risk mitigation.

• A research informed and evidence based approach to occupational medical decision making.

• A commitment to clear communication, respectful assessment, and collaborative multidisciplinary care.

Dr. Saraswat’s combined expertise in occupational medicine, preventive medicine, and complex medical assessment positions him well to support the health, safety, and career longevity of EFRS members, while contributing to a strong, sustainable emergency response workforce.

Aceso Medical is pleased to introduce Dr. Manoj Saraswat, an Occupational Medicine physician who... Read More