NVFC National Firefighter Health Week Preview

Add Feedback

Share |

National Firefighter Health Week 2010, which originally sprang from the National Volunteer Fire Council's (NVFC) Heart Healthy Firefighter Program, runs from August 16-20. This years theme is "Only you can keep it strong. Are you up for the challenge?," which asks first responders to take personal responsibility for their health and wellness and to take necessary steps to stay healthy.

According to Health & Safety Project Coordinator for the NVFC, Lillian Ricardo, when Health Week first began four years ago, it was on a much smaller scale and each year more health and wellness resources have become available. "A lot of the national firefighter service organizations, including the NVFC, have really placed health and wellness on the forefront of their agenda," adds Ricardo, "That alone exhibits the importance and how the fire service is embracing health and wellness more and more each year."

The National Firefighter Health Week 2010 themes are as follows:

Monday: "Head Strong"

Behavioral health for first responders is highlighted with the "Head Strong" theme. "Firefighters and emergency responders face a lot of stress. They are more susceptible to anxiety, depression and post traumatic stress disorder," explains Rachel Higginbotham, Director of the National Junior Firefighter Program.

Tuesday: "Respond Strong - Put It On"

Tuesday's theme focuses on personal protective equipment for first responders. According to Director of Communications for the NVFC, Kimberly Ettinger, National Firefighter Health Week 2010 will be sponsored by the Ashburn Hill Corporation. They are the makers of TECGEN fibers, which are "innovative fibers used to make personal protective apparel." The corporation is also helping by sponsoring a revival issue of the Pulse Newsletter, which is the newsletter of the Heart Healthy Firefighter Program, and will be mailed to fire departments nationwide.

Wednesday: "Strong at Heart"

The "Strong at Heart" theme expresses the importance of heart health. Coordinator Lillian Ricardo states, "Heart disease and heart attack is still the number one cause of firefighter fatalities unfortunately, so we are keeping that theme for the center of the week."

Thursday: "Stand Strong Against Cancer"

Firefighters have a high risk of developing cancer due to the high amount of carcinogens they are exposed to. This is a topic that coordinators thought would be crucial to focus on during this year's Health Week.

Friday: "Strength For Life"

"Strength For Life" is the last day's theme, which will encompass fitness and nutrition, which are preventative steps that firefighters can take on a daily basis.

The NVFC offers first responders many different resources on their website www.healthy-firefighter.org. Other resources include broadcasts, videos, links to other websites with information on each days topics, along with health and wellness workshops the NVFC is hosting during the year at various locations throughout the country.  Join FDNNTV.com from August 16-20th for video presentations on each daily theme.


Author:Barbara Brooks - Video, Renee Marquart - Text