By FireRescue1 Staff
WASHINGTON — A newly revised comprehensive health guide is specially designed to have a positive impact on volunteer firefighters, who most frequently die in the line of duty because of heart attacks and stress.
The U.S. Fire Administration and the National Volunteer Fire Council have issued a revised Health and Wellness Guide for the Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services to provide updated information on health issues and trends.
“With heart attack, overexertion, and strain causing more firefighter deaths and injuries than any other cause, it is critically important for departments and personnel to focus on health and wellness,” said NVFC Chairman Philip C. Stittleburg. “The NVFC is pleased to partner with the USFA to create a guide to help departments develop life-saving health and wellness initiatives and overcome the obstacles to a successful program.”
The guide provides recommendations on fitness including aerobic exercise, flexibility and strength training, diet and smoking cessation. It highlights successful wellness programs, giving departments a model for overcoming obstacles such as lack of motivation, lack of funding, and lack of well-defined requirements.
The Health and Wellness Guide was first released in 1992. The current version provides the most current information on how volunteer fire departments can enhance compliance with appropriate National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Firefighter Health and Safety Standards such as NFPA Standard 1583 - Health Related Fitness Programs for Fire Fighters.
The guide is available online at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/fa_321.pdf.