A publication dedicated to the well-being of firefighters across North America and beyond.
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Firefighters are aware of the statistics linking firefighter deaths to preventable diseases and illnesses caused by unhealthy lifestyles. One of the leading causes of firefighter deaths is heart attacks. “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Bringing answers to the modern firefighter’s burning health questions, we aim to help firefighters identify and put into practice better health choices to increase your chances at a healthier wellbeing with disease and illness free careers and retirements.
Performance anxiety is the fear that our mind creates about performing a task, even to the point of paralysis. Sometimes this occurs long before the task has even begun. So how does one overcome this feeling? We overcome it by training. The dilemma is that it may be the training itself, or lack of it, that causes this condition.
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So, you find yourself “on days” as a fire service administrator. This is an amazing opportunity to support firefighters while moving the organization forward.
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Hot yoga—usually practicing Hatha or vinyasa at about 104 degrees F for about an hour— has become popular in recent years but buy-in from the fire service is still a challenge. Hot Yoga is not just stretching, it's purposeful movement, and it has something for everyone.
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There are two types of “stress loads” that we might consider at different stages of our firefighting career. We will define and discuss stress related to “Allostatic Load” and “Total Training Load” and the impacts of these stressors in Recruit Academy, Operations, and Administration.
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When looking at injuries among firefighters over the last decade, we have seen a gradual decline in overall injuries (NFPA – Firefighter Injuries on the Fireground 2022). When looking at musculoskeletal injuries specifically, most might think that low back injuries account for the majority of recorded injuries. However, the lower extremity accounts for 19% of recorded injuries with the upper extremity accounting for 17%, the shoulder 12%, and the spine accounting for 3% (NFPA – Firefighter Injuries on the Fireground 2022). When looking at lower extremity injuries, the knee is the most injured joint.
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According to the U.S. Cancer Statistics, which shares the prevalence of different types of cancers, including all races, ethnicities and professions, female breast cancer was the #1 leading cause of new cancer cases in 2020.
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Like a fire, firefighters can catch cancer early to prevent its spread and increase survivability. Response Time Matters continues the momentum of causing a cultural shift in the fire service to address cancer risk and encourage timely medical attention.
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A fire doesn’t care if a firefighter is 20 years old or 60, male or female. The people needing to be saved don’t care either.
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There is no question that exercise is needed in the fire service. It is a great way to maintain a healthy weight, curb cravings, promote good blood sugar levels, keep your mind sharp and support your entire cardiovascular system.
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The practice of meditation is not new. For thousands of years, it has flourished in one form or another in various cultures and groups around the world.
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