Programs
Fitness Certification Training
The Fire Foundation is dedicated to supporting the physical health of our region’s first responders through a fitness certification program that helps local firefighters achieve nationally-recognized certification. This program caters specifically to the unique needs of tactical athletes by partnering with local subject matter experts to provide tailored training that meets ongoing educational requirements. By employing a peer training model, the program fosters a culture where health and fitness are prioritized in each fire station, ensuring resources are available on every shift.
- The Health and Wellness committee, composed of the Foundation’s trustees, aims to support fire personnel’s health and fitness throughout their careers and beyond, from academy training to retirement.
- Our efforts encompass multiple initiatives, including providing fitness training, obtaining grants, funding the purchase of exercise equipment, vetting programs, supporting academic research, and facilitating access to local experts in human performance, such as Strength & Conditioning professionals, Certified Athletic Trainers, and Performance Dietitians.
- We advocate for a holistic approach to wellness that includes not only physical workouts but also emphasizes the importance of sleep, nutrition, and mental health.
- The training programs incorporate a comprehensive understanding of a firefighter’s needs, focusing on cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength and power, mobility, and injury prevention.
- The Foundation proudly collaborates with professionals and organizations that support this all-encompassing approach to resilience, fostering partnerships with experts across various fields to enhance the support available to our over 1,800 local fire and EMS professionals, paralleling the resources found in collegiate sports, professional athletics, or elite military units.
Our Programs
Our Impact
Cancer Prevention
When firefighters sign up for their careers, they know many of the well published risks the career choice carries. However, few realize the extent of the cancer risk until well after they have started their careers.
Cardiac Wellness
Heart disease is a leading killer of firefighters. The Greater Tucson Fire Foundation has provided ultrasounds and other cardiac screening for at-risk firefighters.
Mental Health
A healthy mind is just as important as a physically fit body. Therefore, the foundation has worked to remove the barriers to receiving quality mental health care from culturally informed providers.
Peer Fitness and Injury Prevention
Firefigheters Beyond Borders
HERO Program
Hardship can strike at a moment’s notice, and firefighters are no different. That’s why we created the Helping Emergency Responders Overcome (HERO) program to lessen the economic impacts of acute medical hardship.