The theme of Safety Stand Down 2018 focuses on annual medical evaluations/physicals and the Emergency Services Road Map to Health and Wellness. Early detection saves lives. Many fire departments and organizations have developed training, resources, and videos related to this critical topic. Below are some of these. If you have a resource you would like to submit, use this form.
Select a tab below to gain access to our wealth of information, resources, and videos to help you and your department have a successful Firefighter Safety Stand Down Week 2018.
NFPA 1582, Standard on Comprehensive Occupational Medical Program for Fire Departments
This National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standard outlines an occupational medical program that will reduce risks and provide for the health, safety, and effectiveness of firefighters operating to protect civilian life and property. The full text of this standard can be viewed for free on the NFPA web site.
NFPA 1500, Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety, Health, and Wellness Program
This NFPA standard specifies the minimum requirements for an occupational safety and health program for fire departments or emergency service organizations. The full text of this standard can be viewed for free on the NFPA web site.
NFPA 1583, Standard on Health-Related Fitness Programs for Fire Department Members
This NFPA standard outlines a complete health-related fitness program for members of fire departments involved in emergency operations to enhance their ability to perform occupational activities and reduce the risk of injury, disease, and premature death. The full text of this standard can be viewed for free on the NFPA web site.
NFPA 1584, Standard on the Rehabilitation Process for Members During Emergency Operations and Training Exercises
This NFPA standard establishes the minimum criteria for developing and implementing a rehabilitation process for fire department members at incident scene operations and training exercises. The full text of this standard can be viewed for free on the NFPA web site.
A Healthcare Provider’s Guide to Firefighter Physicals
The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and their Firefighter Safety Through Advanced Research (FSTAR) program developed this guide that firefighters can bring to their physician to help them understand physiological demands of firefighting and the resulting health risks research shows firefighters are most prone to. The guide assists primary care providers in the evaluation, treatment, and ongoing surveillance of the unique health and wellness needs of firefighters.
The Emergency Services Road Map to Health and Wellness
The IAFC and its Safety, Health and Survival (SHS) section developed this tool to help fire department leaders, personnel, and other key stakeholders better understand and use NFPA 1582, gain a better understanding of firefighter-specific medicals, and encourage all firefighters to get an annual medical.
NVFC Position on Firefighter Medical Assessments
The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) supports annual medical assessments for all firefighters, but understands the barriers and limitations that may exist. This document outlines several options for departments to consider in developing a firefighter medical assessment program.
NVFC Position Statement on Diabetes
This statement from the NVFC looks at the prevalence and impact of diabetes in the fire service and the importance of annual medical assessments for all firefighters.
Understanding & Implementing NFPA Standards 1500, 1720, and 1851
This guide developed by the NVFC and NFPA is designed to help volunteer fire departments understand and implement NFPA standards, including 1500, Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety, Health, and Wellness Program.
Volunteer Fire Service Culture: Essential Strategies for Success
Chapter Five of this NVFC textbook focuses on health and wellness, including an in-depth discussion of firefighter medical exams.
Cancer Prevention Resources
The NVFC has compiled resources and tools to help address and prevent firefighter cancer.
Best Practices for Preventing Firefighter Cancer
The NVFC and the IAFC Volunteer and Combination Officers Section, along with the Fire Service Occupational Cancer Alliance, the Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN), and with support from California Casualty, developed a poster that features 11 best practices to prevent firefighter cancer.
Health and Wellness Resources
The NVFC has many resources, guides, and tools to help fire department leaders and personnel focus both on individual health and wellness as well as implement department-wide programs.
Firefighter Strong
This newsletter contains articles and resources designed to help department members focus on some of the critical health and safety issues facing firefighters and EMS providers and start taking steps towards a safer, healthier department.
Fire/EMS Helpline
Run by American Addiction Centers, the Fire/EMS Helpline is a free, confidential hotline that firefighters, EMS providers, and their families can call 24/7 to assist with behavioral health issues such as PTSD, stress or anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, addiction, and more.
Life Safety Initiative 6: Medical and Physical Fitness
Firefighter Life Safety Initiative 6 states: Develop and implement national medical and physical fitness standards that are equally applicable to all firefighters, based on the duties they are expected to perform. This National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) web site contains resources and information relating to this initiative.
Firefighter Cancer Support Network
The Firefighter Cancer Support Network provides support and assistance to firefighters and their families in the event of a cancer diagnosis, as well as resources for firefighter cancer research and prevention.
The Fire Service Joint Labor Management Wellness-Fitness Initiative
The IAFC and International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) developed this program to help departments implement positive, individualized wellness-fitness programs.
Heart-Healthy Firefighter Program
The NVFC Heart-Healthy Firefighter Program helps individual responders focus on their health and helps departments implement a health and wellness program.
Share the Load Program
This NVFC program provides resources and tools to individuals, departments, and families to address behavioral health in the fire service.
Serve Strong
We are stronger together, and we are strongest when healthy. The NVFC provides tools and resources to help responders Serve Strong for their crew and all who depend on them.
2018 Safety Stand Down PowerPoint
Use this PowerPoint to train department leaders and personnel on the importance of annual medical evaluations/physicals.
Cardiovascular & Chemical Exposure Risk Studies at IFSI Research
This webinar, instructed by Gavin Horn, PhD, Director of Research for Illinois Fire Service Institute (IFSI), provides a high level overview of recent studies conducted at IFSI Research along with partners from UL FSRI and NIOSH to characterize some of the leading health risks on today’s fireground and training ground.
Best Practices for Preventing Firefighter Cancer (Part 1 and Part 2)
In two webinars, the IAFC VCOS and NVFC present the 11 best practices for preventing firefighter cancer.
NVFC Virtual Classroom
The NVFC Virtual Classroom contains dozens of courses including:
Effect of Heat Stress and Dehydration on Cardiovascular Function
First Responder Health & Safety Laboratory, Health & Exercise Sciences, Skidmore College
Heart to Heart: Strategizing an Evidence-based Approach to Reduce Cardiac Disease and Death in the Fire Service
Proceedings from a December 2015 conference hosted by the NFFF
Fire Service Occupational Cancer Alliance Report
Proceedings from January 2015-Apil 2016
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Among Career Professional Firefighters
FSTAR Fact Sheet on 2011 study published in American Journal of Health Sciences
