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Home » Fitness » Global wellness, fitness initiative aims to decrease firefighter fatalities – Star Local Media

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 80 to 100 firefighters die each year. While on-scene incidents always contribute to that number, a growing number of firefighter deaths occur away from the action.

A study by the National Fire Protection Association found that 59 percent of firefighter deaths were related to overexertion, stress and medical causes. Of that percentage, cancer, heart disease, stroke and suicide made up a significant portion.

To help combat those statistics, the Wellness Fitness Initiative (WFI) program spearheaded by the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) is expanding its reach across the world. The WFI focuses on three major areas for departments to address and improve: medical, behavioral health and fitness.

Departments across North Texas are becoming increasingly active in the program, said Little Elm Fire Chief Brian Roach.

Its important to have something in place that will encourage firefighter health, Roach said. This program sets the guidelines for how to prevent the top causes of those deaths.

The Little Elm Fire Department (LEFD) has a committee dedicated to each component of the WFI. In the leading role of the cancer division is Capt. Clint Long.

More than 60 percent of the names on the firefighter memorial wall (IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial Wall of Honor) died from cancer, Long said. Cancer in firefighters is also about 9 to 12 percent higher than the general population. I personally know a firefighter who passed away from cancer.

The CDC reported in 2013 that about 68 percent of firefighters will develop cancer as a result of their occupation.

Long said firefighters are exposed to the toxic materials given off from synthetic material, which exists everywhere, thus increasing cancer probability. Exposure to those chemicals can be reduced by promptly removing and cleaning personal protective gear, or PPE, and showering after each call, he said.

The whole goal is to limit exposure, Long said.

Regular health screenings are also important because they can detect earlier, more treatable stages of cancer, Long said. In May, the department is holding its first on-site comprehensive health screening for each of its members.

The screening will also include a physical fitness test.

Under Mitchell Broussards leadership, each member is required to work out for at least 30 minutes per shift. He also encourages fitness through group exercises, off-duty workouts and cooking healthier food. By improving fitness levels, chances of heart disease and other health issues are less likely to occur.

We want the guys here to put forth the effort to get better, Broussard said. To me, if Im not healthy I cant do my job. I dont want to put someone else at risk because Im overweight.

Some concerns go beyond what the eye can see. By offering a mental health debriefing component, called the Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM), firefighters have a way to keep their minds healthy.

Jeremy Fuller, part of the CISM committee, said his involvement stemmed from the death of his former partner, who killed himself after they lost a coworker in a fire.

Too often, first responders keep their feelings to themselves after stressful or traumatic calls. Theres a stigma wrapped around mental issues like PTSD, he said, and it needs to be changed.

According to the Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance, there were 360 reported firefighter suicides between 2000-2013. That number is likely much higher, the report stated, because not all of the deaths are reported.

Its one of those deals thats highly avoided and not talked about, Fuller said. We help diffuse them after a bad call with group talks. Some of the best medicine for the guys is to talk to each other. Theyve been through stuff together and have the same experiences.

In the coming years, LEFD hopes to make the WFI a mandatory program and extend its reach to surrounding departments.

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Global wellness, fitness initiative aims to decrease firefighter fatalities - Star Local Media

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Home » Fitness » Global wellness, fitness initiative aims to decrease firefighter fatalities – Star Local Media