Firefighter Health and Wellness

With all of the modern studies and statistics on firefighter health, safety and wellness, we are still managing to kill over 100 firefighters per year. The latest statistics show that in 2007 alone, around 54 firefighters (preliminary numbers) died from heart attacks.

So, what are the causes of the firefighter deaths each year? Is it a lack of proper education about fitness? What about a failure of the department to properly screen their candidates and offer fitness programs?

Read this excerpt:

The NFA, IAFF and National Volunteer Fire Council need to put forth a national, collaborative effort to establish a long-term surveillance project that includes the incorporation of a standardized exposure report. Shockingly, in a 10-year evaluation of firefighters suffering fatal heart attacks in the line of duty, one third had never had a department-sponsored physical. The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health should work to identify physiological factors that may be contributing to firefighter LODDs.

Taken from a 2003 Fire Chief magazine article A silent killer strikes the fireground, you can see that in 5 years time, not much has changed.

Firefighters are still dying at a rate of about 50% of the Line of Duty Deaths each year. The question is why? Considering the number of firefighters, both career and volunteer nationwide, the number isn't significant. However, each death represents a life that was taken from a family and a department.

With all of the studies and investigations that are ongoing dealing with firefighters and heart attacks, I would suggest just three (3) simple things to try and improve the firefighter heart attack death rate.

1. Screening
   
   
   
   • Pre-employment physicals and yearly physical exams should be mandatory for every firefighter. Not only should you recieve an exam, but some type of physical fitness evaluation should be required. A physical fitness program should also be adopted by every firefighter and fire department.
   
   
   
   


2. Fitness Education
   
   
   
   • Mandatory fitness evaluations and fitness program adoption by the fire department should be seriously considered. Firefighters and departments are traditionally responsive in nature. This is one area that proactivity is critical to the wellness of the firefighter.
   
   
   
   


3. Nutrition Education
   
   
   
   • How many times do you eat fast food? How easy is it on the run to eat junk? Do you know what you are clogging your arteries with each day? Nutritional education should be a critical factor to firefighter wellness and fitness programs.
   
   
   
   

These three topics aren't well received amongst many firefighters, fire chiefs or departments. Why? Well, sometimes they cost money. Other times people feel that they should be able to eat what they want, smoke if they want, live how they want.

I agree with you. People have to make their own choices. However, at what expense are you as a firefighter willing to let that choice potentially kill you or put others in jeopardy?

I can strongly recommend one change that will make an immediate difference in your life. The book listed below called "Eat this, not that!" is an amazing book for anyone. If you enjoy eating out, one of the taboos of any diet is to eat out. However, if you are like many firefighters, sometimes in between runs the only thing you can eat is something from a fast food restaurant.

The "Eat this, Not that!" book is a great, eye opening book. It shows what your favorite meal, drink or snack actually contains calorie, fat and sugar wise (and more). It will also show you the healthier alternative at the same restaurant.

This is a highly recommended book for anyone that is on the go. Just making a little change of eating a little healthier can go along way in making you feel better with more energy each day.