Fire fighting has one of the highest injury rates of any profession. What’s more, heart disease is the number-one cause of death for fire fighters. Across the United States and Canada, the price of these injuries and deaths is costing cities and states millions of dollars.

The IAFF/IAFC Wellness and Fitness Initiative, designed to promote the health and wellness of fire fighters, has been successful in keeping fire fighters on the job and reducing health care costs among IAFF affiliates that participate in the program.

In Boston, Massachusetts, where the fire department experiences an average of 16 heart attacks each year, Local 718 fire fighters hope that its efforts to develop a wellness and fitness program will convince fire fighters and city officials alike of the importance of maintaining fitness and health.

“Each heart attack costs the city approximately $250,000, but it could put every fire fighter in the department through an annual physical for much less,” notes Mike Hamrock, a former Boston fire fighter who put himself through medical school and is now the fire department physician. His goal is to make members more aware of the importance of preventative medical care.

Although Boston was not among the initial 10 fire departments involved in the IAFF/IAFC program design and implementation, its program is gaining acceptance. It’s been an uphill battle, says Local 718 member Richie Paris. “It’s long been viewed as a punitive program,” he explains, “and our members wanted to no part of a fitness program that requires them to work out every day. But they are starting to realize that the program is not designed to get fire fighters fired; it’s designed to keep them working!”

The goal is to have a full-blown wellness and fitness program that reintroduces fire fighters to a fit and healthy lifestyle, reduces injuries and the risk of disease, enables fire fighters to have greater endurance on the job and ensures they enjoy their retirements years.”

Currently, the local is working with a Boston area athletic club to offer a program for members to workout. Members pay $100 for the three-month program. If they complete the program, the $100 is refunded. If not, the money is contributed to the department’s wellness and fitness program. “The idea is that this program gets them started on a fitness regimen that they can then continue on their own,” explains Paris.

Has your fire department or IAFF local developed a wellness and fitness program? E-mail us at fittosurvive@iaff.org with information about your efforts to keep fire fighters fit and healthy. Your story could be featured in an upcoming feature on Fit to Survive.

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