How to Participate
Fire and emergency service departments should suspend all non-emergency activities during the week of June 14-20 to focus on training and education relating to this year’s theme – Firefighter FITNESS: Fit to Serve, Fit for Life. Each department can choose how best to implement Safety Stand Down in a way that works for their members and based on their members’ schedules – such as daily activities each day of the week, weekly activities during the month, or establishing a plan to incorporate the topics into training and operations throughout the year. Consider designating a Safety Stand Down Champion to coordinate or facilitate the activities in your department.
Daily focus themes, events, educational handouts, and activity ideas are available below to help you implement Safety Stand Down. Find additional resources and training for this year’s topic on the Resources page of this site.
Watch these messages from the IAFC, NVFC, IAFF, NFPA, and FDSOA:
Safety Stand Down Daily Topics
Each day during Safety Stand Down is dedicated to a specific focus area that aligns with this year’s theme. These daily topics are designed to guide your department through key aspects of the theme, encouraging meaningful discussions, training activities, and actionable steps to improve safety, health, and performance.
NFPA, in coordination with the IAFC, NVFC, FDSOA, and IAFF, annually hosts an online Safety Stand Down Quiz to reinforce the messages behind the event’s theme. Those who take the quiz will be entered for the chance to win one of 200 limited edition Safety Stand Down challenge coins. Take the quiz here.
Safety Stand Down Events
Roundtable Talk: Fit to Serve, Fit for Life
Watch the recording of this panel discussion to learn more about this year’s Safety Stand Down theme and how your department can participate.
NVFC Step Strong Challenge
June 1-30
The National Volunteer Fire Council is hosting its annual Step Strong Challenge from June 1-30. Consider participating in the challenge as part of your Safety Stand Down activities. Those who meet challenge goals are entered into a raffle for the chance to win prizes. New elements this year include the option to log other fitness activities in addition to steps and the ability to compete in a team.
Lexipol Webinar: From Fitness to Performance – Rethinking What it Means to Be Fit to Serve
Watch the recording of this panel discussion hosted by Lexipol that explores what it truly means to be Fit to Serve, Fit for Life and how to build a department culture where every firefighter is prepared to meet the demands of the job.
IAFF Webinar: Considerations for Building Effective and Supportive On-duty Exercise Policies
June 18 at 1pm ET
The International Association of Fire Fighters is hosting this webinar during Safety Stand Down to help departments build effective and supportive on-duty exercise policies suitable to their specific needs.
Coffee with SHS: Are You Ready for the Job or Just Working Out
This episode of the IAFC’s Coffee Talk with the SHS focused on the 2026 Safety Stand Down theme.
Daily Theme Infographics, Modules, and Videos
Each day during Safety Stand Down, a specific topic in the FITNESS framework is highlighted. Share these educational modules, infographics, and videos with crews during your Safety Stand Down training and beyond to introduce the topic, promote discussion, and prompt action.
Day 1: Foundations of Firefighter Fitness
Day 2: Intentional
Day 3: Technique
Day 4: Nutrition
Day 5: Evaluation
Day 6: Sleep
Day 7: Strategies for Success
Activity Ideas
Looking for ways to get your department involved in Safety Stand Down 2026? Check out these activity ideas to help you engage your team throughout the week.
Articles, Podcasts, and Testimonials
FireRescue1
Fire Engineering
CRACKYL Magazine:
- How to Stand Up: Firefighter Safety Stand Down, Issue 20, page 51
- How Company Officers Drive Firefighter Fitness: Firefighter Safety Stand Down, Issue 21, page 53
Testimonials:
- Grady Valencis, IAFF
Submit Your Resources, Stories, and Photos
Click here to share your department’s safety and health resources, media coverage, activities you are planning for Safety Stand Down, and success stories from your department
Step Strong Challenge Bonus Steps
If you are participating in the NVFC Step Strong Challenge in June, you can earn a one-time bonus of 5K steps for visiting this page. Go to the Challenge app’s main dashboard, press Bonus Activities at the bottom of the app, and tap the ‘Scan-In’ button. Align the app view with the QR Code below. The code will automatically be detected and provide you with a confirmation notice. The QR Code will only work between June 1-30.
Safety and Health Training
You can find on-demand training courses relating to this year’s theme on the Resources page of this site. Additional training includes the following:
Future Safety Stand Down Dates
Safety Stand Down is held annually during the third week of June.