The National Volunteer Fire Council will hold its fifth annual National Firefighter Health Week Aug. 14–20, 2011. The program will include steps to help firefighters understand their health risks and establish a plan of action to implement healthy changes for life.

“This week is designed to generate more awareness of making a change to a healthier lifestyle,” said Kimberley Quiros, the NVFC's director of communications.

The theme of this year's Health Week is, "When it comes to your health, you are always on duty." Each day 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.

“We have a whole resource center for each of the daily focus steps: Crisis, Dispatch, Size-Up, Attack and Overhaul,” Quiros said. “We want all first responders to take advantage of this opportunity to focus on your own health and wellness, and implement Health Week in their department to make sure everyone learns the steps they need to take to get and stay healthy.”

>

• 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.

Other activities include videos and two webinars on personal protective equipment and obesity. In addition, “Six Flags amusement parks in four states — Texas, New Jersey, Illinois and Maryland — are offering a special deal on our website to promote de-stressing and spending time with the family,” Quiros said.

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.

The NVFC also produced a fitness poster, which is available with the July issue of Fire Chief.