Exercise Program Design for Structural Firefighters

Abstract

STRUCTURAL FIREFIGHTING IS A PHYSICALLY DEMANDING AND HAZARDOUS PROFESSION THAT REQUIRES SUFFICIENT LEVELS OF PHYSICAL FITNESS TO ENHANCE OCCUPATIONAL PREPAREDNESS, SAFETY, AND HEALTH. A COMPREHENSIVE EXERCISE PROGRAM SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED TO ACHIEVE THE REQUISITE PHYSICAL FITNESS. A NEEDS ANALYSIS IS PRESENTED TO ENSURE THAT AN EXERCISE PROGRAM ADDRESSES THE PHYSIOLOGICAL AND BIOMECHANICAL DEMANDS OF OCCUPATIONAL TASKS. IDENTIFYING SPECIFIC NEEDS WILL PROMOTE ENHANCED WORK EFFICIENCY AND A DECREASED RISK OF FIRE GROUND INJURIES AND CHRONIC DISEASE. IN ADDITION, THE FIREFIGHTING OCCUPATION PRESENTS INHERENT CHALLENGES TO DEVELOPING AN APPROPRIATE TRAINING PROGRAM. PROGRAMMATIC TRAINING STRATEGIES ARE PRESENTED TO OVERCOME THESE CHALLENGES.