EXERCISE PROGRAMS

It is necessary to provide dedicated on-duty time for exercise to assist in promoting physical fitness.  While scheduling on-duty time may vary due to emergency calls, training, and other duties, it is recommended that 60-90 minutes be allotted for every shift.  The health, fitness, and wellness of all uniformed personnel must be maintained as a priority.

To efficiently utilize allotted exercise time, adequate equipment and facilities for a total and balanced exercise program must be available to uniformed personnel.  Traditionally, equipment and facilities have been provided in one of the following ways:  exercise equipment placed directly into each fire station; centralized fire department locations where personnel can exercise; contracted fitness center locations where personnel can exercise; use of outdoor alternative facilities such as track, high school, park or local college/university.

Peer Fitness Trainers should encourage safety and participation through their professional guidance and supervision of uniformed personnel regarding fitness issues and exercise programs.  For more information on Peer Fitness Trainers, visit this link.

The elements necessary for a successful and comprehensive exercise program are highlighted in the 3rd Edition of the Fire Service Joint Labor Management Wellness-Fitness Initiative.

This section contains a list of the different exercise programs, equipment, and on-duty workout time each department has implemented. Right-click on the table to export this information to an Excel spreadsheet.

 

DEPARTMENT	PROGRAM	ON DUTY TIME	EQUIPMENT
Austin	Fitness consultation Personal training Kettlebell training	On duty	Treadmills, bikes and weights at each station
Calgary	Designed by PFT's	1.5 hrs per shift	Full compliment
Charlotte	Fire Fighter determined	Yes	Exercise equipment at each station including treadmill, Smith machine, free weights and bench, dumbbells, stability balls, pulley system, exercise mats
Fairfax Co.	Wellness Fitness Center - training and education are provided to support fitness program	2 Hours/Day On duty Can use recreation centers 5 satellite gyms deals with local gyms	Every station has cardio and weight equipment
Indianapolis	Crossfit preparation program/Crossfit on-ramp	SOG being updated	Cardiovascular/Strength training/Functional training equipment
Los Angeles	Recruit fitness program - daily exercises led by PFT's Post recruit mentor program	On-duty mandatory 1.5 hours	In every station - weight bench w/dumbbells; recumbent bike and treadmill; stability ball
Metro Dade Co.	"Get Fit" Challenge Crossfit seminar Exercise Challenges FITNESS ZONE intranet - members post monthly circuits, fitness articles, list of PFT's, upcoming fitness events, WFI information Physical Therapy program	On duty	Treadmills, bikes, ellipticals, weights and Smith Machine at each station
New York City	Various aerobic training Circuit training (resistance)	Daily as schedule of duties allows	Every firehouse has a gym Equipment is either bought by members chipping in, donated from private individuals, health clubs, colleges, etc. Example - network with a local sports club; universities for liquidated equipment
Phoenix	Health education Tobacco cessation training Individual programs upon request	Yes - minimum of 1 hour on-duty	All fire stations are equipped with aerobic equipment and various resistance and weight training equipment depending on station size and number of crew members
Seattle	Members or crews can request one-on-one with a PFT via a formal request for service process Fire Fit Class of the month (members come off-shift on their own time) led by a PFT with advanced certification in that field Information provided in "Fitness" and "Workouts" sections in the Occupational Health & Fitness In-web	1 hour per shift for operational personnel and 1/2 hour for Admin positions	1 major piece of cardio (treadmill or stepmill, or elliptical, or concept II), full dumbbell set, medicine ball, stability balls, and exercise mats in stations Larger stations have additional weights (dual pulley, spin bike, Olympic weights, kettlebells) depending on size of space
Beckley	Individual, with PFT	On duty	In each station and discounted gym memberships
Carrollton	Individual, with PFT	60-90 minute on duty time	In each station - treadmill, elliptical, free weights and bench, dumbbells 5 to 70 lbs. Some stations have additional equipment
Council Bluffs	Individual, with PFT	On-duty	In each station - includes treadmill, elliptical, free weights and bench, dumbbells 5 to 70 lbs.  Some stations have additional equipment
Snohomish County Fire District 1	Yes	Two hours - 8:30am - 10:30 am	Yes in all eight fire stations - treadmills, step mills, Kettle bells, free weights and exercise mats
Lewiston	Individual, with PFT	On duty - 60 minutes	In each station
Mesa	Crossfit, Ultimate Frisbee, work hardening circuits, and standard cardiovascular and strength training	Yes - minimum of one and a half hours per shift, on-duty	All fire stations are equipped with aerobic equipment and various resistance and weight training equipment depending on station size and number of crew members. Gym memberships if station fitness facility not adequate.
Narragansett	Cardiovascular, muscle endurance and strength training programs such as Cross Fit and Kettle bell programs Many cardiovascular exercises such as swimming, cycling, running, rowing and stair climbing encouraged	On duty (1 hour daily when possible) and off duty time allocated; minimum 3-4 days per week	Full Smith machine, Kettlebells, Bosu balls, medicine balls, free weights, treadmills, exercise bikes, rowing machines
Orange Co. Fire Authority	Core strength Academy PT Quarterly classes Contract with training and rehab vendor	On duty, 60-90 minutes per shift	Full compliment or gym memberships
Portland	N/A	On duty, one hour per shift	In each station Three centralized facilities Discounted gym memberships
Port Moody	Personal aerobic and circuit training TWIST Sports Conditioning Series	1.5 hours per shift	Both stations are equipped with aerobic equipment (treadmill, elliptical and stationary bike) Nautilus machine, dumbbells (10lb - 70lb), Bosu board, balance board, stability balls and medicine balls
Prince George's Co.	Functional Physical Fitness Training Programs Peer Fitness Trainer Programs Pre-Hire Fitness Preparation Program Recruit Fitness Training Program	Minimum of 1.5 hours 3 days each week on day work 2 hours every 24 hour work shift	In house 360/sq foot fitness center includes:  treadmills, elliptical trainers, stationary bikes, rowing machines, stair climbers, machine and free weights Use of station equipment, community centers
San Diego	Regional Wellness Program contracted w/San Diego Sports Medicine Center - provide full staffing for wellness exams and education	Yes	Yes - small gym or discount at local gyms
Tualatin Valley	Monthly newsletters Activity specific exercise programs In-house wellness presentations	On-duty - 90 minutes per shift for career fire fighters	Full compliment