Health and Wellness Advocate (HWA)

Lillian Ricardo
Health and Safety Project Coordinator
National Volunteer Fire Council

Workshop: Friday, August 13
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Workshop: Saturday, August 14
8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

The HWA workshop will provide Advocates with the basic principles behind developing sound health and wellness programs for firefighters at their firehouse.

The free two day workshop includes an overview of fitness and looks at the areas of anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics, which are the building blocks for designing a safe and effective exercise program.

Advocates are given guidance on establishing health and fitness goals, safety and injury prevention, exercise and stress management, and how to develop a safe exercise program utilizing five components of fitness.

Lessons on nutrition, healthy eating, and weight management are also topics of focus as it relates to health and wellness.

At the end of the workshop all Advocates are encouraged to participate in a demonstration of functional training exercises which can be easily utilized at the firehouse with minimal equipment.

After the program Advocates will be sent a Fit Kit and leave with a workshop curriculum binder in addition to other resources to assist in improving upon or beginning a health and wellness program within their department.