NFPA 1580, 1582, and 1583 work together to define a comprehensive, layered approach to firefighter health, fitness, and risk reduction while each serving distinct purposes.
NFPA 1580 – Standard for Emergency Responder Occupational Health and Wellness
National Fire Protection Association
This standard establishes the big-picture framework, positioning fitness within a broader occupational safety, health, and wellness system that is tied directly to risk management and organizational responsibility.
NFPA 1582 – Standard on Comprehensive Occupational Medical Program for Fire Departments
National Fire Protection Association
This standard focuses on the medical foundation, outlining baseline occupational medical evaluations and health criteria designed to identify risk factors that could lead to injury, illness, or line-of-duty death.
NFPA 1583 – Standard on Health-Related Fitness Programs for Fire Department Members
National Fire Protection Association
This standard bridges policy and practice by defining fitness-specific expectations, setting minimum standards for health-related fitness programs that support operational readiness, performance, and injury prevention.
IAFF-IAFC Fire Service Joint Labor Management Wellness-Fitness Initiative
International Association of Fire Firefighters and International Association of Fire Chiefs
This comprehensive program addresses fitness, medicals, rehab, and behavioral health.
Fit to Thrive (F2T) Program
International Association of Fire Fighters
Born as an extension of the IAFF/IAFC Peer Fitness Trainer program, F2T is designed to support the IAFF/IAFC Fire Service Joint Labor Management Wellness-Fitness Initiative by helping firefighters be more active.
Heart-Healthy Firefighter Program
National Volunteer Fire Council
This program promotes fitness, nutrition, and health awareness for all members of the fire and emergency services, both volunteer and career. Resources include the Heart-Healthy Firefighter Resource Guide and much more.
Tactical Strength and Conditioning Program
National Strength and Conditioning Association
Evidence-based training guidance for tactical populations, including fire/rescue and other first responders.
Firefighter Functional Fitness
Published by Firefighter Toolbox
This guide focuses on the four pillars of firefighter functional fitness that all firefighters should master.
Functional Fitness Resource Center
First Responder Center for Excellence
Find resources, tools, and guidance relating to firefighter fitness.
Healthy In, Healthy Out
Washington State Council of Fire Fighters
This guide provides tools and knowledge to reduce exposure to carcinogens, prevent musculoskeletal injuries, address behavioral health concerns, and optimize overall wellness and nutrition.
10 Biggest Mistakes Firefighters Make with their Fitness
Dan Kerrigan and Jim Moss
This special report looks at the biggest pitfalls firefighters have made with their health along with tips on how to avoid them.
Creating a Health and Fitness Program in Your Department: A Two-Part Course
National Volunteer Fire Council
This two-part NVFC course taught by Dan Kerrigan and Richard Kline focuses on overall firefighter health and safety, key components of a comprehensive functional wellness program, and how to build an evidence-based, sustainable health and fitness program in your department.
Webinar: Leading the Sustainable Fire Department Health and Fitness Initiative
National Volunteer Fire Council
In this recorded NVFC webinar, Richard Kline explores solutions to the challenges fire service leadership face in their quest to offer comprehensive health and fitness programming to their members and provides a roadmap for effective program design.
Life Safety Initiative 6 – Comprehensive Wellness Programs
National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
The NFFF has training available through its Fire Hero Learning Network to support Firefighter Life Safety Initiative 6 – Comprehensive Wellness Programs.
Foundational Movements for the Tactical Athlete
National Strength and Conditioning Association
In this recorded session from the NSCA’s 2016 TSAC Annual Training, Ryan Massimo demonstrates foundational movement techniques that engage the body as a single coordinated system, complement the movements the body performs on the job and in life, and help to build optimal and usable strength, power, mobility, and durability.
Firefighter Functional Fitness Workshops
Firefighter Functional Fitness
Firefighter Functional Fitness provides interactive workshops in optimal firefighter performance and longevity.
The First Twenty Academy
The First Twenty
The First Twenty offers courses, certifications, and workouts programs through their online platform.
Firefighter Functional Fitness YouTube Channel
Firefighter Functional Fitness
Firefighter Functional Fitness provides videos demonstrating an array of functional fitness exercises for firefighters.
Firefighter Peak Performance Blog
Firefighter Peak Performance
Firefighter Peak Performance provides example exercises to illustrate how movement-pattern-based training can be aligned with firefighter tasks while reinforcing proper technique and joint protection. These include:
The Firefighter’s Path to Peak Performance
Priority Traffic Podcast
Christopher Warden interviews Ryan Provencher about his extensive career and the importance of functional fitness tailored to the demands of firefighters’ duties.
The Tactical Athlete: Achieving Health and Wellness as a Firefighter
Beneath the Helmet Podcast
Ryan Provencher provides practical advice for firefighters to start their journey towards peak performance, emphasizing the need to build a comprehensive fitness and wellness program and leveraging resources like interval training and functional fitness.
Forging Longevity and Training the Tactical Athlete
Behind the Shield Podcast
This episode features Ryan Provencher, founder of Firefighter Peak Performance.
Fire Fighter Injury Prevention – Dr. David Frost
International Association of Fire Fighters
Dr. David Frost discusses why firefighter injuries are costly and how functional, movement-focused training can help reduce injury risk while improving job-relevant physical capacity.
Interview with Dr. David Frost
Behind the Shield Podcast
Dr. David Frost discusses injury mechanisms in firefighters, the role of movement quality and load management, and why intentional, progressive training is essential for reducing musculoskeletal injuries and sustaining operational performance.
Simple Tools for Your Fire Station Gym
R.I.T. Team Radio
Host Hussien Jabai is joined by Ryan Provencher to discuss simple tools and resources that firefighters can apply to their training for longevity of health and wellness.
Wellness-Fitness Initiative Videos
Science to the Station
These spotlight videos support the IAFF/IAFC Wellness-Fitness Initiative.
Be Fit for Your Crew
National Volunteer Fire Council
This motivational video encourages firefighters to focus on their health and fitness so they can be ready when their community calls.
Get an Annual Physical and Serve Strong
National Volunteer Fire Council
This motivational video encourages firefighters to get an annual physical.
CRACKYL Magazine
- Your Fitness Action Plan: Strategy and Tactics for Firefighter Peak Performance
- 4 Tactics to Build Strength, Resilience, and Real-World Readiness
- Training Movements, Not Muscles
- 7 Movement Patterns for Firefighter Performance
- Fitness and Reducing Firefighter Injuries
- Making Fitness a Priority as a First Responder
- Start with a Step: A Practical Path to Better Health
- Making Workouts Count: How to Workout SMARTer, Not Harder
- Power of 5s: Get a Complete Workout in 15, 30 or 45 Minutes
Fire Engineering
Fatal Firefighter Injuries in the United States
National Fire Protection Association
This annual report highlights the causes of fatal on-duty injuries to firefighters. Key findings from the 2024 report can be accessed here.
Fifth Needs Assessment of the U.S. Fire Service – Health & Wellness
National Fire Protection Association
This section of the Fifth Needs Assessment of the U.S. Fire Service focuses on fire department needs relating to health and wellness, including fitness.
BETTER HEART Final Report: Enhancing Firefighter Cardiovascular Health through Targeted Interventions
Smith et al.
The BETTER HEART project aimed to use medical information, research findings, and data from occupational medical exams to develop enhanced, evidence-based guidelines for the detection of cardiovascular disease in firefighters.
Re-Search (tool to find fire and EMS research)
Science to the Station
This tool is designed to help find research on an array of fire service topics, including health and fitness.
The Association of Aerobic Fitness with Injury Risk in Firefighters
Poplin et al.
The aim of this study was to understand the risk of injury in relation to fitness in a retrospective occupational cohort of firefighters in Tucson, AZ, from 2005 to 2009.
Fitness Fights Fires: Exploring the Relationship Between Physical Fitness and Firefighter Ability
Chizewski et al.
This study shows a clear association between higher levels of physical fitness (cardiovascular and muscular endurance) and improved firefighting ability in recruit firefighters, underscoring that foundational fitness isn’t just beneficial – it predicts performance on job-related tasks.
High-Intensity Functional Training Improves Firefighter Performance
Chizewski et al.
This study examined the changes in various parameters of physical fitness and firefighter ability after a 7-week high intensity functional training program among recruit firefighters at a basic operations firefighter academy.
Evaluation of a Fitness Intervention for New Firefighters
Griffin et al.
This University of Arizona-affiliated study of the Probationary Firefighter Fitness program implemented with the Tucson Fire Department showed that a structured fitness intervention for recruits was associated with reductions in overall injury frequency and workers’ compensation claims costs compared with historical controls.
Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors and Physical Fitness in Volunteer Firefighters
Martin et al.
This study assessed cardiovascular disease risk factors and physical fitness among volunteer firefighters to help establish a health and fitness profile of this population and the need to initiate fitness and nutrition programs aimed at reducing death and injury caused by cardiovascular disease in this population.
Association Between Physical Fitness and Cardiovascular Health in Firefighters
Ras et al.
The aim of this study, which took place in Cape Town, South Africa, was to investigate the association between physical fitness and cardiovascular health in firefighters.
Etiology of Exercise Injuries in Firefighters: A Healthcare Practitioners’ Perspective
Eastman et al.
This study gathered information from healthcare practitioners who treat firefighter injuries to identify risk factors and mechanisms associated with musculoskeletal injuries during exercise.
Candidate Physical Ability Test
International Association of Fire Fighters and International Association of Fire Chiefs
The CPAT is a standardized pre-employment physical ability test developed by the IAFF/IAFC Task Force to ensure firefighter candidates are truly capable of performing critical job tasks safely.
Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription
American College of Sports Medicine
This handbook delivers scientifically based standards on exercise testing and prescription to the certification candidate, the professional, and the student.
Provider’s Guide to Firefighter Medical Evaluations
FRCE, IAFC, IAFF, NVFC
The guide assists primary care providers in the evaluation and ongoing surveillance of the unique health and wellness needs of firefighters. Provide a copy to your healthcare provider at your next annual physical exam.
Provider’s Guide to Female Firefighter Medical Evaluations
FRCE, IAFC, IAFF, NVFC
The guide assists primary care providers in the evaluation and ongoing surveillance of the unique health and wellness needs of female firefighters. Provide a copy to your healthcare provider at your next annual physical exam.
Articles
- Raising the Standard: Firefighter Physical Fitness Test (Firefighter Nation)
- 3 Ways to Size-Up Your Firefighter Fitness (CRACKYL Magazine)
Firefighter Nutrition
International Association of Fire Fighters
This campaign brings awareness to the importance of nutrition and its role in firefighter health and engages members in creating and maintaining healthy eating habits that support firefighter training, work demands, fitness goals, and long-term health.
Eat Smart
The American Heart Association
Information, resources, and recipes to make smart eating choices.
An Introduction to Nutrition for Firefighters
International Association of Fire Fighters
In this webinar, IAFF nutritional consultant Lisa Desilet discusses how firefighters can eat more healthily to support their lifestyles and goals.
Feeding America’s Bravest: Survival Mediterranean Style
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
This site serves as a toolkit to help firefighters and their families incorporate Mediterranean Diet principles at work and home in order to lower risk for cardiovascular disease and cancer.
A Guide for First Responder Nutrition
Beneath the Helmet Podcast
Megan Lautz discusses the intricacies of first-responder nutrition, shares her journey into the fire service, and offers practical advice on maintaining a balanced diet under high-stress conditions.
Jonathan Montgomery/First-In Nutrition
Behind the Shield Podcast
Jonathan Montgomery, co-founder of First-In Nutrition, discusses overcoming chronic ill health, fitness versus wellness, training the tactical professions, the power of nutrition, and more.
FireRescue1 Articles
Video: The Importance of Sleep
National Volunteer Fire Council
This video reminds firefighters about the importance of sleep for their overall health and performance.
CRACKYL Magazine Articles
- How to Build Better Sleep
- 6 Sleep Strategies for Firefighters
- 5 Firefighter Sleep Disorders and How to Take Back Your Zs
- Firefighter’s Guide to Maximizing Sleep
FireRescue1 Articles
- Firefighter Sleep: 7 Ways to Improve Your Crew’s Sleep and Safety
- The Firefighter’s Sleep Manual: How to Overhaul Your Bedroom for Better Rest
- Firefighter Fatigue: What Fire Departments Can Do to Minimize the Associated Risks
- Dr. Glenn Landry: Firefighters Can ‘Shock the System’ Back to a Healthy Sleep Routine
Share the Load Program
National Volunteer Fire Council
This program provides critical resources and information to help first responders and their families manage and overcome personal and work-related problems, as well as help departments looking to implement or enhance a behavioral health program.
Psychologically Health Fire Departments
National Volunteer Fire Council
This toolkit and training helps fire department leaders promote and foster well-being among their members.
Stress, Resilience, and Behavioral Health Training
National Volunteer Fire Council
The NVFC provides on-demand courses and webinars relating to stress, resilience, and behavioral health in its Virtual Classroom.
Behavioral Health and Resilience Resources
International Association of Fire Fighters
Find education, peer support, and resilience strategies specific to firefighter stress exposure and cumulative trauma.
CRACKYL Magazine Articles
- Performance Under Pressure: Proactive Stress Management for Firefighters
- Balancing Stress and Performance: The Role of Allostatic and Total Training Load
- Managing Critical Incident Stress
- Stress Mitigation for Firefighters
- The Power of Firefighter Self-Care
- 7 Techniques for Managing Firefighter Mental Health and Self-Care
- 3 Self-Care Essentials for Firefighters
- Reading for Resilience: Books to Help Firefighters Thrive
- Building Resilience: A Comprehensive Guide for Firefighters
- Are You Training for Resilience?