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
The firefighter-counselor explains the problem with avoidant coping and how to help your brain finally deal with the ‘leftover stuff’
The Mesa fire chief spotlights the department’s forward-thinking approach to health, safety, social services and more
Understanding our physiological stress response is key to managing chronic stress
Health & Wellness Resources
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 fire service has no shortage of strong leaders. What it lacks is permission for those leaders to be human.
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
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
There’s a fine line between coping and avoiding; which one are you engaged in?
Following up after a traumatic incident can make all the difference. These practical conversation starters help you show empathy and provide support without making it awkward.
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing focuses on reducing the vividness and emotion associated with the traumatic memories
Are you really committed to the work or are you simply avoiding problems at home?
Commit to making small changes for a positive impact on your health and wellbeing
What first responders can learn about fatigue management from the U.S. Army’s doctrine on readiness
Don’t feel bad if your New Year’s resolutions didn’t last long because the calendar is full of opportunities for a new beginning, a do-over or a fresh start
It can be challenging to set time aside to keep a healthy mind and body; here’s our top 25 wellness tips for you to concentrate on this year
Shift your mindset and identity to achieve and maintain your objectives
Dr. Rachelle Zemlok takes the Better Every Shift crew inside the psychologist’s office during First Responder Wellness Week
Short on time and space? Check out these products to help get a workout in no matter where you are in your day
By incorporating these snacks into their daily routine, firefighters can better manage their energy levels and focus
Build strength and stamina for the demands of the job with this first responder-focused training program
Discover effective strategies to combat fatigue, stay alert, healthy and perform at your best
From managing unpredictable income to planning for early retirement, this guide offers essential financial strategies tailored to police, fire, EMS and corrections professionals
Download a one-page sheet outlining the 30-day challenge; each day is focused on a key tenet of health
Learn these crucial phrases that signal emotional struggles for first responders and how to respond with empathy
Ditch the “all-or-nothing” attitude and replace it with “a little goes a long way” approach by following these five steps
Hit your fitness goals without breaking the bank
It is our responsibility to supply our bodies with the exercise and care they need to serve us efficiently
Caffeine, supplements, cravings – our nutritionists break down their top tips
It can have a range of negative effects on both physical and mental health
Every little bit helps; find out which fitness clubs give first responders the most bang for their buck
Not getting adequate, quality rest can wreak havoc on your physical and mental health
When you avoid processing your most challenging calls, you don’t get better or even stay the same; you get worse
Dr. Matthew Walker’s book puts the power of sleep into perspective for all first responders who struggle to sleep
How fire departments can better educate members about mental health conditions in order to identify issues and seek help early
Exercises, techniques, and routines designed to maximize readiness, prevent injuries and boost resilience
How personal connections can strengthen on- and off-duty resilience
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