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Why Does Our Department Need a Firefighter Wellness
Program?
-
Majority
of the FF’s job is low activity & low stress, building inspection, public education, & maintenance. Followed
by a tremendously stressful job of actually fighting fire.
- The
combination of adrenalin, stress, high temperature environment, high body temperature, & dehydration, make for a
stressful combination that can be deadly. (Figure 1)
- Leading
cause of Firefighter injuries are sprains and strains.
- These
are also preventable. (Figure2)
- No way to prevent all work related injuries in fighting fire, but a firefighter who is stronger,
more flexible, & more agile, like an athlete will be more capable of preventing injury.
- Firefighters
need all of the attributes of an elite level athlete due to the physical & mental stresses of the job. Critical the FF
be able to perform duties safely & efficiently while protecting themselves as well as others.
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