FireFit is an Interagency Wildland Firefighter Fitness Program that was initially developed in 2005 with endorsement from the Federal Fire and Aviation Safety Team (FFAST). At that time, after other initiatives, a national task force was endorsed to develop a strategy and guidelines to address the growing concerns regarding Wildland Firefighter Fitness. The task group includes representatives from each of the wildland fire agencies and represents each of the wildland fire resources including hotshots, engine crews, helitack, smokejumpers, and fire leadership including the recently formed NIMO teams and Incident Management Team personnel and is specific to wildland firefighter fitness and wellness.
FireFit provides a comprehensive, non-mandatory fitness program specifically designed by wildland firefighters and experts in the field of exercise physiology with the ultimate goal of improving firefighter health and safety, promoting year-round fitness and reducing injuries associated with physical training. This unique program provides a basic format for a well balanced fitness program that can be augmented as a local unit or crew sees fit. However, program success relies on management support at every level as well as the individual’s motivation and participation.
The FireFit program consists of three seasonal modules specific to the season which includes: Pre-Season, Fire-Season, and Post-Season, each with information and exercises specific to goals and objectives related to that season. The beauty of the program is that it allows flexibility and individuality for any person or crew to develop their own unique PT program that fits the needs of their unit. The program encourages PT program balance utilizing all the essential components of fitness to include: flexibility, aerobics, muscle strength & endurance, core training and rest and relaxation.
For a complete overview of the FireFit program, the following website and video podcast is available:
FireFit Website: www.nifc.gov/FireFit/index
FireFit Introduction Video: ** provided by LLC
Determining your fitness baseline through the Wildland Fitness Assessment Battery:
An integral part of the FireFit program includes the recently implemented Wildland Fitness Assessment Battery (WFAB) which has now gained national recognition as one of the premier fitness assessment programs developed primarily for wildland firefighters to determine their baseline fitness. You can’t figure out where you are going until you know where you are starting from. Once implemented, each individual is provided a comprehensive individualized program that is developed based on their strengths, weaknesses and any imbalances that could lead to eventual injury. The WFAB provides baseline testing to determine:
- Flexibility
- Muscle Strength/Power
- Muscle Endurance
- Aerobic Capacity
- Core Stability
Once the baseline is determined, individuals will be provided a program that will help them with fitness improvements and injury prevention techniques based on their individual results. They will then track these results retaking the WFAB every 6-8 weeks or every season as appropriate.
FireFit – Wildland Fitness Assessment Video:
** provided through Lessons Learned Center
FireFit continues to lead the way when it comes to wildland firefighter fitness and wellness while addressing other issues include; mental fitness, nutrition, team building, injury prevention, core stability, and developing a mental checklist. With the implementation of FireFit within your fire program, you will notice an immediate improvement in firefighter health, wellness, attitude, morale and injuries along with a direct correlation with safety on the fireline.
FireFit Marketing Materials: (compliments to the Sacramento IHC Crew)
- FireFit – Tri-fold brochure
- FireFit – flyer for modules
- FireFit – motivational posters
6 Minutes for Safety - Are You FireFit?
TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH AND WELLNESS!
