Fire Department begins the “First Twenty Program”

The Hawthorne Fire Department recently was awarded a grant program funded by FEMA and provided by the First Twenty Foundation. Members from the department totaled 86 that are participating where greeted, evaluated and educated on the use and opportunity this program presented them individually and also as a team member. The program will run for six months as members track their fitness and nutritional endeavor through the program in the pursuit either team or individual goals.
the department would like to thank the “First Twenty Program” and the First Twenty Team Providers whom assisted in this venture, we also would like to thank FEMA for providing the grant opportunity. We look forward to utilizing the program and the opportunity to aid our membership.
The value of this FEMA funded grant is aprox $150,000.00.

BY FIREFIGHTERS FOR FIREFIGHTERS.
The First Twenty is a non-profit dedicated to the unmet fitness and wellness needs of our nation’s firefighters. The mission of The First Twenty Tactical Fitness & Wellness Program© is to provide critical performance fundamentals for today’s firefighter–for today’s tactical athlete. This computer based training program will provide foundational educational principles around firefighter physical fitness, mental wellness, and nutrition. Our program provides specific content that allows firefighters to apply and track these principles on a daily basis. A program that enables firefighters to elicit the necessary fitness and wellness changes vital to a tactical athlete performing on and off of the fireground. Our holistic approach integrates relevant science, current studies and lifestyle wisdom that will serve as a singular point-of-focus for firefighters and have a positive influence on job performance and general health.

We have removed the barriers of time and accessibility so that It allows firefighters to continuously integrate the exacting ongoing tactical narrative imperative for firefighter health and wellness. We offer techniques for managing critical physical, mental and environmental inputs – resulting in ownership and control of consequences and outputs. Simply stated, our program encourages the development of an uncomplicated, mindful, and scientific approach to health and daily living that will serve as a point-of-orientation for everything our firefighters do – in the fire service and in life.

This computer based performance program will provide foundational educational principles around firefighter physical performance, mental performance, and tactical nutrition. Our program provides specific content that allows firefighters to apply and track these principles on a daily basis.

TACTICAL HIGH PERFORMANCE TRAINING
Overview
Firefighting is an occupation that produces unique physiological and psychological challenges that negatively affect firefighters’ performance, safety and quality of life. It is crucial that firefighters are provided with proven and feasible strategies to manage these challenges. The First Twenty’s Tactical High Performance Program™ takes an unrivaled foundational approach that addresses the unmet performance, safety and health needs of the American firefighter. Our holistic program provides critical performance fundamentals specifically designed to address the unique physiological and psychological challenges facing today’s firefighting force.

Physiological Problems
PROBLEM
Cardiovascular Disease & Obesity

Sudden cardiac death is the number-one killer of firefighters, resulting in half of all LODD each year. For every LODD due to heart attack, 16 additional cardiovascular events occur each year on the fireground.
Dehydration: Research has shown that the number-one mitigating factor for firefighter heart attacks is dehydration.
Obesity: 80 percent of firefighters are overweight or obese, substantially higher than the general population (60%). Increased body fat has been associated with greater arterial stiffness in structural firefighters.
Sleep deprivation: Research indicates that reduced sleep quality and quantity are associated with obesity.
Sedentary lifestyle: Firefighters do not achieve the recommended amount of physical activity to reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
PROBLEM
Musculoskeletal Injuries

55 percent of fireground injuries incurred by firefighters are classified as sprains, strains or muscular pain, far and away the leading types of injuries incurred on the fireground. Furthermore, the average workers’ compensation cost of treating strains and sprains is $11,925 per claim.
26 percent of fireground injuries occur as a result of overexertion. The average workers’ compensation cost for injuries caused by overexertion is $14,425 per claim.
The NFPA has reported that the causes of workrelated musculoskeletal disorders/injuries includes repetitive lifting of heavy objects, performing tasks in awkward postures, forceful and repetitive exertion, regular overhead work and work with the neck in a chronically bent position.
Furthermore, the NFPA suggests that the occurrence of sprains and strains may be reduced by implementing programs that utilize functional movements to enhance aerobic capacity and trunk stability.

OUR SOLUTION

Crash Fire Fitness™ Program

Using a functional approach combined with science, we designed a comprehensive, cutting-edge program that addresses firefighters’ unique physiological challenges by simulating the tasks performed on the fireground. Specifically, its goals are to optimize a firefighter’s:

occupational performance
resilience to injury
stability
mobility
endurance
strength
We teach firefighters to move more proficiently on the fireground and at the gym. In addition, we teach firefighters to both establish a baseline for each movement and understand the mechanics of mobility and stability.

The Crash Fire Fitness Program™ is anchored by (five) fundamental movement patterns (Push-Pull-Lift-Step-Rotate) that are used to perform (eight) critical firefighting tasks, as identified by the U.S. Air Force’s validated

Firefighter Occupational Assessment. These tasks include carrying and hoisting equipment, climbing and raising ladders, advancing hose line, forcible entry and rescuing a victim.

Crash Fire Fitness™ is designed to teach firefighters how to progress and egress through each movement, and how to progressively add resistance to each of these movements via body weight exercises, firefighting equipment and suspension devices.

Vital to mobility is the concept known as midline stabilization: tightening the body, bracing the abdomen and stabilizing the trunk. Our program teaches firefighters how to engage their core before performing any activity in the gym or on the fireground. This greatly enhances their ability to perform at maximal capability while reducing risk of injury.

Our program has no walls. By utilizing portable and inexpensive equipment, firefighters can exercise anywhere, thus enhancing exercise participation and program compliance.