First Responder Wellness Week is dedicated to providing resources, support and community to help public safety personnel better understand the mental and physical health risks that come with the job.
Join Lexipol, FireRescue1 and our partners from March 23-27, 2026, to focus on your health and promote the wellness of your personnel. Each day we’ll focus on a different topic, providing shift briefing videos, webinars, articles, podcasts and more, all within the overarching theme of being “Total Wellness. True Readiness.”
Join us for a week of daily sessions focused on strengthening wellness across your agency — everything from healthy habits and smart recovery to building a program that puts firefighter health front and center.
Practical strategies for injury, aging, and long-term performance.
Start here to create a restoration routine.
Why wellness is a need to have, not a nice to have.
How to weave wellness into your agency’s mission and culture.
Real first responder wellness questions, real answers.
Track the daily habits that support operational readiness, performance and long-term health.
Better Every Shift: Health Focus
Part 1 — The San Diego Fire-Rescue captain shares the emotional story of how a seemingly “routine” call quickly escalated to a near-fatal stabbing
The IAFC president – the “chief of chiefs” – surrounds himself with passionate people who support the mission and the organization
Upon taking the reins, the Greensburg (Pa.) VFD chief made it his mission to improve firefighter safety and health
Health & Wellness Resources
Exploring the haunting cost of heroism in the American fire service
Despite greater awareness and support, firefighters still face high rates of PTSD, depression and suicide
Readiness across people, training, leadership and the future demands consistent, connected action at every level
Preparation transforms uncertainty into confidence and ensures your organization is ready for whatever comes next
Fire service leaders must ensure their crews are mentally ready for every call — through training, trust and proactive support systems
A new study explores gender differences in PTSD and post-traumatic growth among firefighters, EMTs and medics
You’ll never be on your A-game if you don’t take care of yourself
Take care of your active duty, but don’t forget about your retirees
Red flags are rarely subtle in hindsight
Sometimes, despite love and connection and every effort to help, we can’t save someone — but we must keep trying
PFD Assistant Chief Jeff Schripsema shares a powerful story highlighting the department’s commitment to its members
Moral injury can quietly undermine firefighters’ well-being, but intentional practices that can help prevent lasting harm
Facing rising injury rates, one Colorado department implemented a daily stretching routine to strengthen firefighter health
My first line-of-duty injury was humbling
Fire Chief Robert Logan and Battalion Chief David Picone detail how SDFR shows its members ‘we’re focused on you’
Lautz describes extreme diets as “trying to get to a second-story window without a ladder,” which she combats through pro tips for making better choices on scene and at home
It comes down to selecting the right members and training them in two key areas
Solutions to navigate the most common family-centric concerns voiced by firefighters
Time may be limited, but we can find ways to maintain the shared kitchen table time that builds a sense of family
When leaders prioritize their own well-being, they set the stage for a healthier, more resilient workforce
With careful planning and administrative support, an agency wellness program can save careers, marriages and even lives
Starting a wellness program includes diagnosing the issue or improvement, developing the plan and implementing it
How one department added a shift to improve its members’ work-life balance
To track your nutrition, you need to see what, when and how much you actually eat
How to assess your current status, develop clear and measurable goals, and create a plan for success
When free of shift schedules, try these tips to get to sleep faster and achieve quality sleep
Forget protein bars — the best “exercise snack” happens in the patrol car, between calls or while restocking the rig
Who could use a little more sleep?
Consistent strength training, mobility work and recovery habits can help firefighters protect their bodies now and fully enjoy life after the job
Whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to enhance your existing routine, these free tools can help you stay fit and ready for the demands of your job
The risk management expert delivers commonsense wisdom, including three actions he would take if he were in charge
The fire service has no shortage of strong leaders. What it lacks is permission for those leaders to be human.
Free webinars and daily wellness resources will address injury recovery, mental health, resilience and agency wellness strategy
Are you ready to take the plunge? Learn how ice bath therapy can benefit firefighters in their everyday lives as well as on duty
Chronic inflammation is driven by sleep disruption, poor nutrition, limited exercise and unresolved trauma
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