IAFF and IAFC revise wellness-fitness program to improve firefighter health | Fire & Safety Journal Americas

Wellness-Fitness Initiative task force outlines program improvements

The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) and the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) are collaborating to update the Wellness-Fitness Initiative (WFI), a program established in 1996 to enhance firefighter health and wellness across the United States and Canada.

The WFI Task Force, comprising 58 members, convened last month at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C., with some participants joining remotely.

Discussions focused on refining the initiative by prioritizing best practice guidelines, implementation strategies, and promoting behavioral change.

Dr. David Frost, a technical advisor to the WFI for over a decade, facilitated the meeting.

Frost emphasized: “Talks also centered around how to make elements of the program accessible to everyone, not a one-size-fits-all document.

“It has to be a place that any department can find guidance on implementing health improvement goals.”

Expanding accessibility for departments of all sizes

A key topic was ensuring that the WFI could be adapted by fire departments regardless of size or available resources.

Task force members proposed that the program function as a repository of evidence-based practices, actionable guidelines, and implementation frameworks.

Keven Rojecki, President of the Puget Sound Fire Fighters Union (WA) Local 1747, highlighted the importance of adaptability: “Implementation should be doable whether you have a lot of resources or just a few.”

He added that addressing long-term health concerns is critical, noting, “We have fire fighters who start their careers healthy but then get out of breath climbing the stairs 10 years into the job because they have not taken care of their nutrition and cardiovascular health.”

Encouraging behavioral change over mandatory compliance

The task force also discussed the effectiveness of mandating compliance with WFI recommendations.

While mandatory measures work in some regions, fostering behavioral change was seen as more impactful for sustained health benefits.

Cambridge, Ontario, Fire Chief Rob Martin stressed the importance of mindset shifts: “Successfully implementing pieces of the WFI or the program in its entirety is about changing mindsets.” He added that demonstrating the benefits of protocols through education and examples can gradually increase participation.

Martin cited regular medical screenings as an example: “If they hear these screenings are detecting medical concerns early, then they see the benefit and they will start doing it too.”

Timeline for program updates

The task force aims to complete a draft of the updated Wellness-Fitness Initiative by 2025, with plans for distribution and implementation beginning in early 2026.

IAFF and IAFC revise wellness-fitness program to improve firefighter health: Summary

The IAFF and IAFC are updating the Wellness-Fitness Initiative to improve firefighter health and wellness in the U.S. and Canada.

A 58-member task force met in Washington, D.C., to discuss enhancing the program’s best practices, implementation guidelines, and behavioral change strategies.

Key discussions emphasized the program’s accessibility for departments of all sizes and the importance of education over mandatory compliance to promote long-term health.

A completed draft is expected by 2025, with distribution planned for early 2026.