Safety Stand Down 2026
Safety Stand Down 2026 calls on responders to build and sustain fitness for safer, stronger, healthier fire service. Fit to Thrive meets that mission head-on by helping More Fire Fighters, be More Active, More Often, with practical, fire-service-specific guidance that supports long-term success.
Fire fighters face serious health and safety risks, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, and behavioral health challenges. Regular physical activity supports physical capacity, recovery, and overall well-being, key components for safer performance, better quality of life, and longevity in, and beyond, the fire service. Each day during Safety Stand Down is dedicated to a specific focus area that aligns with this year’s theme and will be releasing daily one-pagers and videos to help introduce the topic, promote discussion, and prompt action. Visit the official 2026 Safety Stand Down website HERE.
Join the F2T team
On June 18 at 1 p.m. ET, we sit down with Luke Pedersen (IAFF Master Instructor, Captain Training Officer at Waterloo Fire and Emergency Services, and Executive Board Member IAFF Local 791) and Kyle Ebersole (Ph.D., LAT, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and SME for the City of Milwaukee Fire Department) to discuss considerations for building effective and supportive on-duty exercise policies.
Fit to Thrive offers a variety of resources that help promote fire fighter wellness, fitness, and overall well-being, and aims to be accessible, inclusive, comprehensive, and behavior-focused. See below for a curation of resources that align with the theme in this year’s Safety Stand Down.
Training
Workshops
F2T 222 – Practical Strategies to Prevent Low Back Injuries
Explore the mechanics of low back injuries, highlight several modifiable risk factors, and share a series of exercise-related tips to avoid getting hurt in the future. Join the F2T community HERE to be alerted when this live workshop is next delivered.
F2T 224 – Training to Move When it Matters Most
Learn what movement variability is, why it matters, its relevance to firefighting, and experience a series of practical exercise-based strategies that can improve the way that fire fighters move when it matters most. Join the F2T community HERE to be alerted when this live workshop is next delivered.
F2T 226 – Consideration for Group Exercise
Learn to structure group activities that facilitate collaboration and team building while improving fitness and having fun. Join the F2T community HERE to be alerted when this live workshop is next delivered.
Additional Resources
The 7 Key Features
Learn the framework the F2T program uses to guide fire fighters’ movement, explain why it is effective and how it can be utilized.
The Case for Mobility
Learn the framework the F2T program uses to guide fire fighters’ movement, explain why it is effective and how it can be utilized.
The Case for Physical Literacy
Being physically FIT is not synonymous with being physically LITERATE.
F2T 222 – Practical Strategies to Prevent Low Back Injuries Handout
Common low back injury mechanisms and how exercise can help.
F2T 224 – Training to Move When it Matters Most Handout
How learning occurs in a movement context and factors that shape it.
F2T 226 – Consideration for Group Exercise Handout
Considerations when designing and implementing group exercise.
Example Exercises
Workshops
F2T 206 – High Intensity with Bands & Bodyweight
Strategies to create high-intensity exercise options with minimal equipment. Join the F2T community HERE to be alerted when this live workshop is next delivered.
F2T 215 – Advanced Core Training for Fire Fighters
The role of the core for fire fighters, and considerations when designing core training interventions specific to the demands of firefighting. Join the F2T community HERE to be alerted when this live workshop is next delivered.
F2T 217 – Applied Resistance Training Principles
Explore a series of resistance training principles that can influence fire fighter health, injury risk and performance. Register for this workshop HERE.
F2T 218 – Facts and Fallacies of Stretching
Examine the science behind a series of stretching claims and learn a series of stretching routines appropriate in a variety of use cases. Register for this workshop HERE.
F2T 227 – Principles of Mobility for Fire Fighters
Practical strategies and tactics that can be used to assess and address the mobility needs of fire fighters. Register for this workshop HERE.
F2T 228 – Building a Movement Vocabulary
Learn a framework for building a “Movement Vocabulary’”by choosing exercises that challenge specific positions, motions, and patterns across a range of demands. Join the F2T community HERE to be alerted when this live workshop is next delivered.
F2T230 – Creating Benchmark Workouts for Fire Fighters
Go beyond formal tests and learn how any exercise session can provide valuable insight on an individual. Join the F2T community HERE to be alerted when this live workshop is next delivered.
Additional Resources
Make Your Exercise Matter Poster
27 exercise variations across 5 different patterns with coaching tips to improve performance and reduce injury risk.
5 Movement Patterns Poster
The 5 primary movements with coaching tips, key observations and 6 variations for each movement.
4-Week Outdoor Exercise Challenge: An Interactive Infographic
Find ways to be active outside and reap the benefits of regular exercise and being outside. Be active in more blue and green spaces!
3-2-1 Resources: Warm-up and Recovery
April 2026’s 3-2-1 Resources focused on Warm-up and Recovery, including guidance on effective warm-up protocols and sample sessions.
F2T 206 – High Intensity with Bands & Bodyweight Handout
Tips and strategies to challenge yourself with bodyweight and bands in any exercise environment. Sample exercise sessions included!
F2T 215 – Advanced Core Training for Fire Fighters Handout
A sample framework when designing core training. Sample core training sessions included!
F2T 218 – Facts and Fallacies of Stretching Handout
Stretch with Purpose. An evidence-based approach to stretching that aligns with when you stretch relative to exercise.
F2T 227 – Principles of Mobility for Fire Fighters Handout
An easily administered mobility self-check at 3 major joints (ankle, hip, shoulder), with exercise libraries of options to improve, reinforce, or accommodate individuals’ mobility. Sample exercises included!
F2T 230 – Creating Benchmark Workouts for Fire Fighters Handout
9 benchmark workouts to assess and track your (or other’s) physical capacity and fitness.
Podcasts & Videos
F2T 308 – Practical Experiences Leading the Operations of Peer Fitness Teams
A practical, boots on the ground perspective on the operations of PFT teams from fellow peers on the forefront of implementation in their department. Create a free account HERE to view.
Articles
Fit to Thrive 3-2-1 Resources: A monthly series of resources providing relevant and actionable guidance that fire fighters can take away and implement within their department, with their peers, or incorporate into their own wellness regimen.
Research & Reports
Exercise-based Performance Enhancement and Injury Prevention for Fire Fighters: Contrasting the Fitness- and Movement-Related Adaptations to Two Training Methodologies
Evaluation & Assessment
Workshops
F2T 201 – Self-Care & Movement Hygiene
Practical tips to assess and address fire fighters’ mobility. Join the F2T community HERE to be alerted when this live workshop is next delivered.
F2T 204 – Considerations for Fire Fighter Testing
Identify key considerations and potential impacts when planning and implementing fire fighter fitness testing. Join the F2T community HERE to be alerted when this live workshop is next delivered.
F2T 216 – Making Best Use of the WFI Fitness Assessment
Explore a series of case studies that highlight several opportunities to make the most of the WFI Fitness Assessment. Join the F2T community HERE to be alerted when this live workshop is next delivered.
F2T 220 – The WFI Fitness Assessment
Learn how to administer and interpret the WFI Fitness Assessment. Register for this workshop HERE.
Additional Resources
F2T 201 – Self-Care & Movement Hygiene Handout
An easily administered mobility self-check at 3 major joints (ankle, hip, shoulder), with exercise libraries of options to improve, reinforce, or accommodate individuals’ mobility. Sample exercises included!
F2T 204 – Considerations for Fire Fighter Testing Handout
The Why, What, and How of Fire Fighter Fitness Testing: A Considerations and Implications Checklist.
F2T 220 – The WFI Fitness Assessment Handout
Detailed instructions on how to administer all WFI assessment protocols.
Sleep
3-2-1 Resources: Sleep
March 2026’s 3-2-1 Resources focused on Sleep. Sleep-related guidance and strategies
4-Week Outdoor Exercise Challenge: An Interactive Infographic
Harness the power of physical activity and natural light to enhance sleep quality. Regulate the body’s internal clock, improve sleep timing, energy levels, and overall recovery. Be active in more blue and green spaces!
Exercise and Sleep Factsheet
Exercise can be a powerful catalyst for sleep. Learn how to leverage the power of physical activity to help you sleep better!
Stress
Exercise and Stress Reduction Factsheet
Harness the power of physical activity to manage and alleviate stress.
3-2-1 Resources: Heart Health
February 2026’s 3-2-1 Resources focused on Cardiovascular Health.
3-2-1 Resources: Cancer Awareness
January 2026’s 3-2-1 Resources focused on Cancer.