WELLNESS FITNESS INIATIVE
Spotlight on Success - Dr. Jahnke
Description: Struggling to build a health and wellness plan? Need some new ideas? There are so many great models of success, and we are highlighting them! Through an AFG Fire Prevention grant, the IAFC’s Policy Institute joined with the IAFF to understand how departments are implementing the Wellness Fitness Initiative (WFI). Dr. Sara Jahnke from The Center of Fire Rescue and EMS Health Research spoke with Chief Tobia from Harrisonburg, Chief Povlitz from Arlington, and Chief Johnson from Charlotte to discuss the successes of their departments.
Spotlight on Success - Dr. Kuehl
Starting a Fire Department Wellness Program From Scratch: Obstacles and Facilitators On The Way.
Description: Dr. Kuehl interviews guest speaker Chief Heather Goodrich about her career as she went from part-time fire service Wellness Specialist to full-time Wellness Director to her current position as Health and Safety Chief at Clackamas Fire in Oregon and her views on the implementation of health and wellness programs in the fire service.
Spotlight on Success - Dr. Frost
Obstacles and Facilitators within the Fire Department
Description: In response to the growing need for guidance to support the implementation of wellness-fitness programs, the IAFF and IAFC launched a joint labor-management initiative to establish best practice guidelines to support the development and implementation of programs to improve firefighter health and wellness. We should all strive to BREATHE better (be more mindful), EAT better (eat real food), MOVE better (be more active), SLEEP better (create a sleep routine), and CONNECT better (build meaningful relationships). This webinar shares the major obstacles and facilitators identified by 200+ fire departments from across Canada and the United States, revisits the original aims of the WFI, and points to emerging opportunities to better address firefighters' wellness and fitness needs.