Health and Wellness Advocate Workshop
The NVFC Heart-Healthy Firefighter Program launched the Health and Wellness Advocate program to combat the leading cause of line-of-duty firefighter deaths - heart disease - by creating health and fitness advocates within fire/EMS departments. Participants learn basic principles behind developing a sound health and fitness program and how they can become advocates for health and wellness within their department. As Health and Wellness Advocates, they will encourage and motivate their fellow fire and emergency personnel to adopt heart-healthy behaviors.
The free, two-day Health and Wellness Advocate Workshop is taught by ACE-certified instructors from L&T Health and Fitness, an award-winning fitness and health management company. The workshop mixes classroom components with hands-on learning to equip participants with the tools and knowledge they need to succeed as a health and wellness advocate.
The Health and Wellness Advocate Workshop will be presented at six state fire association conferences in 2010. Firefighters from these states are encouraged to register early as each Workshop is limited to 30 participants. No more than two individuals from each department should register, and individuals should have the support of department leadership.
More Health and Wellness Workshops will be given at state fire association conferences in 2011. If you do not see your state listed, check back soon for the 2011 schedule.
Wisconsin State Firefighters Association Convention
Stevens Point, WI
March
Nebraska State Fire School
Grand Island, NE
May
New York State Association of Fire Chiefs Annual Conference and Expo
Verona, NY
June 11-12
Oregon Volunteer Firefighters Association Conference
Hermiston, OR
June
Firehouse Expo
Baltimore, MD
July 23-24
North Carolina State Firemen’s Association Conference
Raleigh, NC
August
Dates and registration coming soon.
The Health and Wellnewss Advocate Workshop will provide Advocates with the basic principles behind developing sound health and wellness programs for firefighters at their firehouse. The free, two-day workshop includes an overview of fitness and looks at the areas of anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics, which are the building blocks for designing a safe and effective exercise program. Advocates are given guidance on establishing health & fitness goals, safety and injury prevention, exercise and stress management, and how to develop a safe exercise program utilizing five components of fitness. Lessons on nutrition, healthy eating, and weight management are also topics of focus as it relates to health and wellness.
At the end of the workshop all Advocates are encouraged to participate in a demonstration of functional training exercises which can be easily utilized at the firehouse with minimal equipment. Advocates will leave with a Fit Kit and a workshop curriculum binder in addition to other resources to assist in improving upon or beginning a health and wellness program within their department.
The NVFC Heart-Healthy Firefighter Program is the only national program dedicated to saving America's firefighters and EMS personnel from their leading cause of death: heart disease. We invite firefighters, EMS personnel, and their families to explore the web site to find out how easy, fun, and rewarding it is to get healthy. Join us at the Heart-Healthy Firefighter booth to receive a free health screening, participate in a Wii Fitness Challenge, and learn more about the program.
For questions or additional information please contact Lillian Ricardo, Health and Safety Project Coordinator, at LRicardo@nvfc.org or (202) 887-5700 ext. 21.