National Firefighter Health Week 2011 is Aug. 14–20, and the National Volunteer Fire Council encourages departments to begin planning their Health Week activities.

The theme of this year’s National Firefighter Health Week is, “When it comes to your health, you’re always on duty.” Each day of the week will have a special focus, designed to take first responders and their departments through the steps to achieving good health. Saturday and Sunday have been added this year to make sure all duty shifts can participate.

• Sunday, Aug. 14: National Firefighter Health Week Kick-off
• Monday, Aug. 15: CRISIS: Understand the Risk. Increase awareness and understanding of health risks to firefighters and EMS personnel.
• Tuesday, Aug. 16: DISPATCH: Get Support. Solicit buy-in from the community, department overhead, and family to improve first responder health.
• Wednesday, Aug. 17: SIZE-UP: Make a Plan. Set goals and develop a plan of action to improve first responder health and wellness.
• Thursday, Aug. 18: ATTACK: Take Action. Work with department and community partners to implement change in health behaviors.
• Friday, Aug. 19: OVERHAUL: Live Life. Continue to practice healthy behaviors at the department and at home in the long-term.
• Saturday, Aug. 20: Health Week Wrap-Up and Event Day. Organize or attend community events with family and friends that support your commitment to health and wellness.

The NVFC provides an online National Firefighter Health Week Resource Center at www.healthy-firefighter.org/healthweek with tools and information to help you plan your department’s Health Week activities. The Resource Center includes activity suggestions for each focus day, links to tools and resources, podcasts and webinars, and much more to help everyone in your department take the steps necessary to stay healthy for life. There are also resources for promoting your local Health Week activities in the community, including a customizable press release, web banners, and a sponsorship guide for getting local businesses to support your health and wellness initiatives.