Introduction
Dear Recruit,
Firefighter fitness begins now! This career demands you to maintain optimal fitness levels in order to serve our customers, and prevent injuries to both yourself and your co-workers. In order to achieve that goal, you will be required to participate in a fitness program during the academy. This program should serve as a template for you to maintain your fitness levels throughout your career here at the LBFD. The challenge for you will be to maintain those standards throughout your career. This program is modeled after the Wellness and Fitness Initiative program, and is accepted internationally as the standard for Firefighter fitness.Firefighting is one of the most physically demanding occupations there is. You must be in top physical condition to perform the tasks required of a Firefighter, such as rescuing victims, carrying equipment, raising ladders and performing automobile extrications. You must be in top physical condition to be trained to do these tasks effectively, efficiently, and safely. Therefore, you must ensure that you are in the best possible physical condition by the time the recruit academy begins. Do not rely solely on the academy to get you in shape – the onus is on you!
Mission Statement:
“To promote health and fitness through education and training in order to improve the lives and performance of all department individuals”Ensuring Safety Members are Physically Capable of Performing Assigned Duties:
The LBFD Wellness/Fitness program is a collaborative program between LBFD Local 372, LBFD Management, and LBFD members. It requires that all safety members complete mandatory, periodic medical and fitness exams. All information from these exams is confidential. The program is designed to:
· Educate all members on various aspects of health, fitness and wellness.
· Improve the overall health, nutrition and fitness of all members.
· Minimize and reduce work-related injuries/illnesses.
· Provide rehabilitation to enable timely return to regular duty.
· Reduce overall costs associated with occupational health.
· Provide all firefighters with periodic medical and fitness exams.In order to achieve these goals, the LBFD has adopted a fitness program. “Fitness is necessary for maintaining the functional capacity required to perform firefighter duties. LBFD seeks to incorporate fitness into its fire service philosophy and culture.”
Upon successful completion of the academy, you will be allocated time each shift to maintain fitness levels. Approved activities will be addressed in the “On Duty Fitness SOP.”
This manual has been designed to assist recruits in meeting the physical demands of the basic fire academy. It is designed to assist recruits who want to work out on their own to develop strength and fitness levels that will help them be successful in the Firefighter academy and on the job.