The focus of this year's Safety, Health and Survival Week was selected by a committee of leading fire service organizations including the IAFC, IAFF and NVFC.
View Firehouse.com's Health & Safety Week Coverage
The initiative to draw attention to things that were injuring and killing responders started several years ago. "Originally it was called a stand down, and lasted for 24 or 48 hours," said Chief Billy Goldfeder, chair of the IAFC health and safety section.
"We wanted people to stop and think about what they were doing," he said, adding that statistics show that many injuries and deaths are preventable.
Officials soon realized that to have a true impact, an entire week needed to be set aside.
"This year, we're asking departments to focus on one issue every day from nutrition to drug and substance abuse to fitness."
Being fit to serve the public is essential.
"Like fire prevention, this isn't just a one week thing. We have to focus on being fit year-round."
Goldfeder said it's very important that firefighters and EMS personnel pay attention not only to themselves, but fellow co-workers.
"This economic situation in our country brings additional stress with the possibility of brownouts and reductions in staff. It's imperative that we stay fit."
Goldfeder, deputy chief of Loveland-Symmes Fire Department in Ohio, added that regular exercise reduces stress. "Set aside some time every day for exercise," he said.
He said he always reminds crews: "Think about the people whose pictures you carry in your wallet."
The USFA is doing its part to promote fitness as well. Officials said Monday morning they have joined with the IAFF, IAFC and NVFC for various programs.
"With the IAFC, USFA supported an ongoing program to develop best practices in firefighter health and wellness for the fire service," according to a document presented to students.
"This partnership with the IAFC continues to educate the fire service on the importance of wellness and fitness, primarily through educational sessions at national conferences."
Also, they have joined with the IAFF to support the development of the Peer-Credentialing Program for fire department Peer Fitness Trainers that is recognized by the American Council on Exercise (ACE), the largest non-profit fitness certification and education provider in the world. Many fire department Peer Fitness Trainers have been certified through this program.
The NVFC also enjoys a relationship with the USFA. The two are involved with research and development of effective health and wellness programs aimed at the needs of volunteer firefighters.
They have produced a Wellness Guide for the Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services.
Susan Nicol | News Editor
Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.
