Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Fitness
Firefighters’ Obesity Rate Outpaces National Average (with Related Video)
By Mary Rose Roberts (maryrose.roberts@penton.com)
The rate of firefighter obesity outpaces the national average with about 73% to 88% cases in the fire service, so found a National Volunteer Fire Council and U.S. Fire Administration–funded obesity report. ...
Better Health is Within Reach
By Heather Schafer
Various programs and tools exist to help fire- and emergency-service personnel fend off heart disease....
Southwest FDs Test 'Fit' Factors
By Janet Wilmoth
Tucson creates a multifaceted training program, while Ponderosa hosts a safety night. ...
NVFC Gets Grant for Heart-Healthy Program
By Mary Rose Roberts
The grant will support a health fair, health-and-wellness advocate workshops, and the National Firefighter Health Week, as well as other new initiatives....
Mend a Broken Heart
By Janet Wilmoth (janet@firechief.com)
He shared a story that I hear far too often: A dedicated fire chief spent his life committed to his department, only to die before his time....
Fit Factor
By John Metzger
Fitness equipment for fire stations should be chosen for function, not firefighter aesthetics....
Health Education Benefits Fire Departments' Bottom Line
By Mary Rose Roberts
Protecting the health and safety of firefighters both on and off the job leads to significant cost savings, said Kerry Kuel, a doctor and researcher at the Oregon Health and Science University, during a session at the Fire Rescue International conference....
IAFC, IAFF Urge Firefighters to Protect Themselves for Safety Week
The IAFC and the IAFF have announced "Protect Yourself: Your Safety, Health and Survival Are Your Responsibility" as the theme for the 2009 Safety, Health and Survival Week, scheduled for June 14 — 20....
Study Shows Massachusetts Firefighter Recruits Carry Too Much Weight
By Mary Rose Roberts
Researchers recently released a report that found that more than 75% of candidates for fire and ambulance services in Massachusetts are either overweight or obese...
Reseachers: Firefighters Have 300% Increased Risk for Heart Attacks
Preliminary findings also found that one-third for firefighters had cardiac issues unrelated to common risk factors such as high cholesterol. ...
Take Control
Janet Wilmoth janet@firechief.com
The diagnosis of cardiovascular disease, cancer or any other illness is devastating, and the obvious first reaction is learning how to stay alive. ...
Wellness-Fitness Initiative Available
The International Association of Fire Chiefs and the International Association of Fire Fighters have released the third edition of their Wellness-Fitness Initiative in a DVD format....
Beware of Side Effects from Fit-for-Duty Tests
[ David Comstock Jr. ]
Cases will be resolved by people not familiar with the individual parties who objectively will view a fire department’s actions with hindsight in lieu of current legal standards, including those found in the ADA....
World Firefighter Games Held in England
The World Firefighters Games 08, hosted by Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service in Liverpool, England, saw more than 3,000 firefighters from more than 30 countries competing in events ranging from soccer and horse riding to tests of strength and fire service-specific tasks....
Personal Trainer
By Dr. Michael Weber
Fire departments should consider tailoring annual health assessments for each member to maximize their effectivness....
Slow Burn
By Rick Markley
An expert in slow-repetition training tells how to stock a fitness room and how to get the most from the equipment....
Is Fitness Frivolous?
By Janet Wilmoth, Editorial Director
Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff addressed the 2006 Office of Grants & Training National Conference in Washington, D.C., late last year. Although I believe that Chertoff is usually pretty straightforward and appears to be a bright spot amid the clouds over the nation's capital, I was struck in the sternum by one sentence in his keynote address. ...
Active Ingredients
By Bruce Carter
Surely a clear understanding exists between the need for above-average levels of fitness and the activity of a firefighter. As almost any medical expert...
Knock at the Door
Michael Dubron is a firefighter/paramedic assigned to Air Operations with the Los Angeles County Fire Department. He's also a cancer survivor, and founder...
NVFC Heart-Healthy Program Screens Hundreds at FRI
The National Volunteer Fire Council’s Heart-Healthy Firefighter booth provided blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose level screening to almost 600 fire and emergency services personnel and their families at the recently concluded Fire-Rescue International conference in Dallas....
Resistance is Fruitful
By Janet Wilmoth
Endurance and strength both are possible with this simple fitness program....
No More Excuses
By Janet Wilmoth, Editorial Director
Our interviews with this year's fire chiefs of the year offer an interesting contrast. Chief Alan Brunacini of the Phoenix Fire Department, our 2006 Career...
Maryland Chiefs to Receive Fitness Funds
At a June 5 meeting, the Anne Arundel County (Md.) Council approved physical fitness stipends for senior fire chiefs. Chiefs now will enjoy the same $600 annual stipend that rank-and-file members of the local firefighters union receive....
Pointed Workout
By Alfred F. Morris
A U.S. Border Patrol program that stresses the accumulation of aerobic activity can serve as a model for emergency responders....
Fire Up Your Exercise Program
By Todd Lim, Orange County (Calif) Fire Authority Exercise Physiologist
The demands placed on firefighters can be tremendous, especially from a physical perspective....
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