Today the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) have announced the theme for the 2018 Safety Stand Down, which takes place June 17-23. “Be Aware – Get Checked” focuses on understanding, implementing and monitoring a comprehensive annual medical/physical for firefighters and navigating the Road Map to Firefighter Health and Wellness.
Firefighters face many health risks, such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes and PTSD, and early detection through annual medical evaluations and physicals saves lives. Safety Stand Down resources and materials will increase awareness among firefighters of how to educate their physicians on risks, where to go for the latest information on the IAFC occupational hazard profile and how to access available resources about annual medicals/physicals.
This important event allows everyone to refresh or learn new skills and techniques based on today’s research into firefighter annual medicals/physicals. Firefighters have a responsibility to be fit and ready to answer the call, and this year’s Safety Stand Down aims to provide the tools to make that happen and reduce line-of-duty deaths.
Agencies across the country are encouraged to suspend all non-emergency activities during the week of June 17-23 in order to focus on training and education related to this year’s theme. An entire week is provided to ensure all shifts and personnel can participate. Topic information, training materials and videos will be available at SafetyStandDown.org, the official website for the Safety Stand Down event.
Read more at the International Association of Fire Chiefs
