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March 21, 2005
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Welcome to the NVFC Heart-Healthy Firefighter E-News. The NVFC Heart-Healthy Firefighter Program was designed to healp firefighters become more heart-healthy and lower the incidence of heart attack related deaths in the fire service. We hope that you enjoy this newsletter and that it benefits not only you, but others in your fire department, family and community. In this issue:
NATIONAL VOLUNTEER FIRE COUNCIL TO PRESENT WORKSHOP ON HOW TO DEVELOP FIRE DEPARTMENT FITNESS PROGRAMS Washington, D.C., March 9, 2005 – The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) announces that it will present a workshop on how to design and implement fire department fitness programs. The workshop will be presented at FDIC 2005 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Titled “Creating Effective Fitness Programs for Your Fire Department,” the workshop is designed to help fire departments design and implement practical and effective fitness programs for their personnel. The two-hour session will be held on Friday, April 15th beginning at 10:30 a.m. in Room 205 of the Indiana Convention Center, and is open to all attendees of the FDIC 2005 Show. The workshop will provide session participants with a comprehensive overview of effective fitness programming. Various principles of training will be covered, along with different methods of fitness assessment and reevaluation. Special emphasis will be devoted to cardio-respiratory fitness, muscular strength and endurance, and the choice of available screening and assessment tools. By the end of the session, participants will be able to return to their fire departments prepared to design and implement successful fitness programs. Gail Fast, M.A., ACE will lead the NVFC’s fitness program workshop. Ms. Fast is Vice President and Director of Marketing for L&T Health and Fitness (Falls Church, VA). Involved in the health and fitness industry for more than 10 years, she serves on the editorial board of Fitness Onsite magazine, and is a national lecturer on various health topics ranging from disease prevention to weight management. She also serves as a health science adjunct faculty member at American University and Mount Vernon College in Washington, DC. The fitness program workshop is being underwritten in part through funding provided by the United States Fire Administration. In addition to the workshop, other health-related activities planned by the NVFC at FDIC 2005 include its Heart-Healthy Firefighter program, aimed at promoting better health and fitness among the nation’s 1.5-million firefighters. Free screenings are offered for blood pressure, cholesterol, and body composition, along with smoking cessation information. The Heart-Healthy Firefighter initiative has set an aggressive goal of reducing heart-related on-duty firefighter deaths by 25% by the year 2008. Now in its second year, the program educates firefighters and the communities they serve about the risks of heart attacks and other heart-related dangers inherent in fire fighting. A Heart-Healthy Firefighter Kit developed by the NVFC has already provided thousands of firefighters with valuable information on fighting cholesterol and heart disease, as well as promoting better nutrition and overall physical fitness. The Heart-Healthy Firefighter Kit is available by visiting www.healthy-firefighter.org. The web site also offers other heart-healthy tools, including a medical history form that firefighters can print out and provide to their doctor. Heather Schafer, NVFC executive director, reported that the Heart-Healthy Firefighter program has been well-received. “We’ve been quite successful in educating firefighters about cardiac-related health issues,” she stated. “Not only have we put information into the hands of over 5,000 firefighters, we’ve also performed thousands of free cholesterol screenings at key fire industry events. We’ll be providing screenings at this year’s FDIC Conference, and we invite all show attendees to stop by the NVFC booth to be tested.” Another exciting new development is the recent debut of the NVFC’s online fitness program called Fired Up for Fitness. This web-based interactive program (at www.healthy-firefighter.com) lets firefighters log on to the web, then plan and record a personalized fitness program. Participants can measure their own personal progress by recording physical activity and results over time. In addition to benefiting individual firefighters, Fired Up for Fitness provides a useful tool for departments who are seeking to design and implement a fitness program for their entire fire department. For more information on National Volunteer Fire Council’s Heart-Healthy Firefighter Program or the fitness program workshop being offered at FDIC 2005, contact Maggie Wilson, Director of Health & Safety, at 1-888-ASK-NVFC or 202-887-5700, or via e-mail at maggie@nvfc.org. NVFC Program Screens Firefighters For Heart Attack Risk Courtesy of Firehouse.com San Diego - Heart attacks are the number one cause of firefighter line of duty deaths, sometimes striking even those who seemed the healthiest. So which firefighters are most at risk, and what can they do about it? The National Volunteer Fire Council has set out to answer those questions. Visitors at the Firehouse World Conference and Exposition had the opportunity to receive a free screening for blood pressure, cholesterol level and body mass index through the NVFC Heart-Healthy Firefighter Program. It was a popular event, attracting expo attendees of all ages. The NVFC also plans to bring the program to other fire service shows this year including FDIC, Fire Expo in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and Fire Rescue International. NVFC Director of Health and Safety Maggie Wilson explained how the program got started. "As everyone knows, the number one cause of firefighter deaths is heart attacks," Wilson said. "We were brainstorming for a FIRE Act grant and no one else was doing a national program on heart attack prevention." The program launched in 2004 after the NVFC received a FIRE Act grant to check cholesterol levels at fire service trade shows. This year they are using a second FIRE Act grant to do all three screenings. "It's been overwhelming how many people have come out," Wilson said. Last year the NVFC screened about 1,000 people at each of four trade shows they attended. This year they hope to grow in popularity and screen 1,000 to 1,500 people per show. Wilson said the reaction from firefighters has been extremely positive. "They've never seen anything like this at a show before," she said. "Once it gets rolling we can't sit down." A few visitors joked that they would rather not get screened and learn their results, but Wilson said firefighters need to get the facts on their health. The testing was performed by L & T Health and Fitness of Virginia and took just a few minutes. Screeners explained the results to each participant and whether those results should be discussed with the person's primary care physician. Since the NVFC wants firefighters to take control of these numbers, the program doesn't end with the screenings. Firefighters can also get an information kit on how heart disease is caused and how to prevent it, and sign up for an e-newsletter with heart healthy tips and related health updates. The NVFC also launched a new web site for firefighters to track their physical activity. Users will receive points for the activities they log, and when they reach 600 points they will receive a T-shirt. At 2,400 points they will receive a certificate and entry into a grand prize drawing, Wilson said, most likely for fitness equipment. For extra encouragement, the system will e-mail users if it doesn't hear from them for two weeks. The NVFC is waiting to find out if they will receive a third FIRE Act grant to fund the program next year, when they plan to attend five trade shows and some state firefighter association conferences. They are also looking at private sponsors for the program, and are currently getting support from the Fireman's Fund Insurance Group, Wilson said. The NVFC plans to keep the program going no matter what, in order to reach an aggressive goal - to reduce heart-related on-duty firefighter deaths by 25 percent by the year 2008. For more information visit www.healthy-firefighter.org. NVFC Launches Fired Up For Fitness Challenge Here’s a statistic that continues to surprise many people both in and out of the fire service. More than half of all line of duty firefighter deaths are heart related. Even more startling, this percentage has risen – not declined during the past decade. The incidence of heart attack and heart disease in the firefighter community is one of serious concern that deserves serious attention. Many have wondered what can be done to reverse this trend. In response, the NVFC has developed a Heart-Healthy Firefighter Program to give firefighters the knowledge and the tools they need to avoid falling prey to heart disease. Everyone realizes the path to heart healthy fitness takes commitment. It’s all about having a healthier diet, lowering cholesterol levels, and staying physically active when off duty. To help firefighters with practical steps and suggestions, the NVFC, working under a grant from the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Fire Administration, created a Heart-Healthy Firefighter Program. Under the program the NVFC created a Heart-Healthy Firefighter Kit to give firefighters the information they need to live a healthier life. In addition, those who attend the major fire service industry shows have seen the NVFC there, providing free cholesterol screenings. Now the NVFC has the Fired up for Fitness Challenge which encourages firefighters to track their physical activity online. This interactive program will allow firefighters to log on, and plan and record their own personal fitness program. Participants can measure their own individual progress by recording physical activity and results such as weight loss. “This is a wonderful opportunity not only for individual firefighters, but also for entire departments to get involved with better fitness,” said NVFC Chairman Philip C. Stittleburg. “We’re hoping for widespread participation throughout the country. If so, we’ll begin to point those health statistics in the right direction.” To take the Fired Up for Fitness Challenge, and become eligible for a grand prize, click here. Create your User Name and Password, and then fill in your personal information. Log in regularly to document your activities. Indicate the type of activities you were involved in, and the duration of each. Points are awarded based on the length of time of the activity. For instance, bowling 30 minutes earns you 30 points! Fifteen minutes of yard work earns 15 points, and so on. When you reach 600 points, you get a free Fired Up for Fitness T-shirt! When you reach 2,400 points, you will receive a Certificate of Achievement, certifying that you participated in the Fired Up for Fitness Challenge. Best of all, you'll be well on your way to becoming heart-healthy. The grand prize drawing will be held in August 13, 2005 at the Fire-Rescue International Show in Denver, Colorado. Click here to take the challenge, and get Fired Up for Fitness! MEDICAL RESERVE CORPS TEAMS UP WITH NATIONAL VOLUNTEER FIRE COUNCIL ON HEART-HEALTHY FIREFIGHTER INITIATIVE WASHINGTON, D.C.– The NVFC has announced that the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) is offering the support of its local volunteer chapters for the NVFC’s Heart-Healthy Firefighter program. The goal of the Heart-Healthy Firefighter initiative is to reduce the incidence of on-duty firefighter deaths due to heart attack and other heart-related factors. According to Grace Middleton, spokesperson for the Medical Reserve Corps, among the ways that MRC units will be supporting the Heart-Healthy Firefighter initiative is in providing, overseeing or assisting in performing physical exams for firefighters, as well as educating fire department members on healthy lifestyles and the ways they can begin to make healthy changes. Commenting on the MRC’s involvement with the Heart-Healthy Firefighter initiative, NVFC Chairman Philip C. Stittleburg stated, “We’re delighted to receive support from the Medical Reserve Corps. The MRC provides an invaluable service to local communities, whether it’s in times of crisis or simply in meeting day-to-day medical needs. We fully expect them to play a vital role in our program, not only in health services, but also in educating firefighters about the risks of heart disease.” According to NVFC officers, inquiries and interest in participating in the program are very high. Organizations in California, Connecticut, Georgia, Florida, Michigan and Tennesse have already expressed interest in the program. The NVFC’s Heart-Healthy Firefighter program has established an aggressive goal of reducing heart-related on-duty firefighter deaths by 25% by the year 2008. Now in its second year, the program educates firefighters and the communities they serve about the risks of heart attacks and other heart-related dangers inherent in firefighting. A Heart-Healthy Firefighter Kit developed by the NVFC has already provided thousands of firefighters with valuable information on fighting cholesterol and heart disease, as well as promoting better nutrition and overall physical fitness. The Heart-Healthy Firefighter Kit is available by visiting www.healthy-firefighter.org. The web site also offers other heart-healthy tools, including a medical history form that firefighters can print out and provide to their doctor. Heather Schafer, NVFC executive director, reported that the Heart-Healthy Firefighter program has been well-received. “We’ve been quite successful in educating firefighters about cardiac-related health issues,” she stated. “Not only have we put information into the hands of over 5,000 firefighters, we’ve also provided thousands of free cholesterol screenings at key fire service conferences. Of course, much work needs to be done at the local level, which is why we’re so grateful for the Medical Reserve Corps’ support. They will make it far easier to reach the many thousands of volunteer firefighters who can benefit from our heart-healthy program,” Schafer noted. The mission of the Medical Reserve Corps is to build teams of volunteer medical and public health professionals who lend their time and expertise at the local level. The all-volunteer units assist their communities during times of medical, environmental or terror emergencies. MRC volunteers also provide education and prevention services to improve the public health infrastructure of local communities and neighborhoods. Organized in 2002 under the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General, the Medical Reserve Corps is an important component of the USA Freedom Corps, formed after September 11, 2001 to foster the spirit of volunteerism among all citizens of the United States. For more information on resource materials available to Medical Reserve Corps units to support the National Volunteer Fire Council’s Heart-Healthy Firefighter Program, contact Maggie Wilson, Director of Health & Safety, at 1-888-ASK-NVFC or 202-887-5700, or via e-mail at maggie@nvfc.org. NEW DIETARY GUIDELINES WILL HELP AMERICANS MAKE BETTER FOOD CHOICES, LIVE HEALTHIER LIVES HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson and Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman have announced the release of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005, the federal government’s science-based advice to promote health and reduce risk of chronic diseases through nutrition and physical activity. The sixth edition of Dietary Guidelines for Americans places stronger emphasis on reducing calorie consumption and increasing physical activity. This joint project of the Departments of Health and Human Services and Agriculture is the latest of the five-year reviews required by federal law. It is the basis of federal food programs and nutrition education programs and supports the nutrition and physical fitness pillars of President Bush’s HealthierUS Initiative. “These new Dietary Guidelines represent our best science-based advice to help Americans live healthier and longer lives,” Secretary Thompson said. “The report gives action steps to reach achievable goals in weight control, stronger muscles and bones, and balanced nutrition to help prevent chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and some cancers. Promoting good dietary habits is key to reducing the growing problems of obesity and physical inactivity, and to gaining the health benefits that come from a nutritionally balanced diet.” “The new Dietary Guidelines highlight the principle that Americans should keep their weight within healthful limits and engage in ample physical activity,” said Secretary Veneman. “The process we used to develop these recommendations was more rigorous and more transparent than ever before. Taken together, the recommendations will help consumers make smart choices from every food group, get the most nutrition out of the calories consumed and find a balance between eating and physical activity.” Eating a healthy balance of nutritious foods continues as a central point in the Dietary Guidelines, but balancing nutrients is not enough for health. Total calories also count, especially as more Americans are gaining weight. Because almost two-thirds of Americans are overweight or obese, and more than half get too little physical activity, the 2005 Dietary Guidelines place a stronger emphasis on calorie control and physical activity. The Dietary Guidelines, based on the latest scientific information including medical knowledge, provides authoritative advice for people two years and older about how proper dietary habits can promote health and reduce risk for major chronic diseases. The 2005 Dietary Guidelines were prepared in three stages. In the first, a 13-member Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee prepared a report based on the best available science. In the second stage, government scientists and officials developed the Dietary Guidelines after reviewing the advisory committee’s report and agency and public comments. In the third stage, experts worked to translate the Dietary Guidelines into meaningful messages for the public and educators. The report identifies 41 key recommendations, of which 23 are for the general public and 18 for special populations. They are grouped into nine general topics:
The Dietary Guidelines provide health education experts, such as doctors and nutritionists, with a compilation of the latest science-based recommendations. Consumer-friendly materials such as brochures and Web sites will assist the general public in understanding the scientific language of the 2005 Dietary Guidelines and the key points that they can apply in their lives. To highlight those points, a consumer-oriented brochure accompanies the 2005 Dietary Guidelines. USDA’s Food Guidance System also will serve as a tool to educate consumers on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The Food Guidance System, currently called the Food Guide Pyramid, is undergoing revision and will be released in the spring of 2005. The 2005 Dietary Guidelines and consumer brochure are available at www.healthierus.gov/dietaryguidelines. Heart-Healthy Tip – Reach For That Glass Of Orange Juice Studies suggest that the most commonly consumed nutrient, vitamin C, helps to reduce both the physical and psychological effects of stress. Vitamin C is found in fresh fruits (oranges, grapefruits, strawberries, cantaloupes) and vegetables (broccoli, tomatoes, parsley, and asparagus). |
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