Innovation Through Collaboration

In 1997, the IAFF and IAFC launched the Wellness-Fitness Initiative (WFI) and marked the beginning of a commitment to lead the charge on improving the health and wellness of all uniformed fire department personnel. More than two decades later, the WFI continues to be the principal resource to support fire fighter wellness and fitness. Grounded by a framework, supported with evidence, and continually updated by the world’s leading subject matter experts, the WFI offers best-practice guidelines to inform the implementation of wellness-fitness programs by any department. The F2T program was designed in support of these principles and best practice guidelines and will serve to reinforce the broader objectives of the WFI and its comprehensive approach to improving the wellness and fitness of fire fighters.

In 2003, the IAFF, IAFC and the American Council on Exercise (ACE) launched the Peer Fitness Trainer (PFT) Certificate Program to equip front-line leaders (PFTs) with the knowledge and skills to improve the wellness and fitness of their peers. Since the inception of the program, the IAFF’s team of master instructors delivered 200+ classes and certified thousands of members across the United States and Canada, while learning invaluable lessons regarding the obstacles and facilitators to program  implementation. In response to the lessons learned and feedback received, and the IAFF’s unwavering commitment to improving the physical, psychological, and social well-being of fire fighters, an expanded mission and a new name was proposed, and accepted, for the PFT program: Fit To Thrive.