Working on the frontlines requires a firefighter to stay active and live a balanced life. Firefighters will learn various wellness tips through training and experience on the job. These suggestions will help firefighters like yourself stay safe and healthy on and off the job.
Stay Active
Between training courses and their first week on the job, new firefighters learn that staying active is vital in this field. If you do not stay active even while not working, you become sluggish, weak, and out of shape. A successful firefighter will find new ways to stay active, going so far as to also exercise their minds so that they can remain aware while on the job.
Work with your fleet to experiment with new workouts, learn how to incorporate fresh foods into your diet, and brush up on your gear skills. By applying these small changes, you become more involved in your fleet and grow healthier. Work on physical and mental well-being to remain alert and develop better body strength.
Drink Water
It’s important to drink water throughout the day. Hydration is essential for every frontline worker, especially those who work out of doors, such as firefighters stationed in the wildlands. Even if you’re not overexerted from managing wildfires, dehydration can occur during workouts and every physical activity. Water keeps your mind clear, keeps you full, and prevents you from passing out.
Drinking roughly 64 ounces of water a day is essential to maintain your strength and fight off exhaustion. Keep a water bottle or cases of water nearby so that you and your co-workers can stay hydrated throughout the day.
Clean Gear Regularly
It’s never okay to wear your gear twice without properly cleaning it first. Cleaning your firefighter gear daily helps you create better habits and prevent yourself from getting sick. Even though the protective gear prevents you from inhaling vapors and touching dirty surfaces, it won’t do its job when you sleep near your equipment or touch your face with tools.
Ensure that you also clean your firefighter safety tools when cleaning up your workstation and disinfecting your PPE gear. These tools work better and have a longer life when they’re maintained daily.
Stay Stress-Free
Being a firefighter is a full-time job that takes up a lot of energy and consistently has windows of downtime. While staying busy is essential, you also need to ensure you don’t take on too much at once. For example, if you have training sessions all week, it’s best not to schedule them back to back, as doing so can overwhelm you.
Instead, use a calendar to keep things organized and take notes of any cancellations and rescheduling. Doing so will help you better manage your time and discover healthier ways to relieve stress. Aside from using a calendar, make sure to take up a fun hobby that will help you relax, such as yoga.
It’s important to maintain your physical and mental health as a firefighter. Discover beneficial habits and apply these wellness tips to remain safe and healthy in and out of the firehouse.
