F2T 309 – Implementing a PFT-lead Training Initiative in the Calgary Fire Department

Webinar Overview & Objectives

What started as an observation by Peer Fitness Trainer, and Acting Lieutenant, Aaron Johnson, while instructing hose advancement training to members of the Calgary Fire Department (CFD), lead to the development, and department-wide implementation, of a training evolution to improve the mobility required to safely and effectively execute this fire ground skill. Along with being a PFT-inspired initiative, the 2-hour training workshop that was eventually created and delivered to on-duty crews, was instructed by members of CFD’s PFT team. Consequently, this CFD initiative can serve as a wonderful case example for how PFTs can be used to inspire and deliver consequential activities within a dynamic and comprehensive wellness-fitness program.

In this webinar, the F2T Team will sit down with Aaron Johnson, along with Daren Gardiner (Leader, Health and Wellness at CFD), and Blaine Worobetz (PFT, and District Chief at CFD) to discuss their roles and experiences implementing this training initiative. A key aim of this webinar is to exhibit how multiple CFD stakeholders collaborated across each implementation stage, and over an extended period of time, to design and deliver the training workshop and associated member resources. In doing so, our goal is to provide PFTs with the opportunity to learn how a unique fitness- and operational performance-related challenge was tackled using the principles under-pinning the IAFF’s F2T program.

This webinar was hosted on Thursday, May 28th, 2026, at 12:30 PM, ET.

Featured Panelists

Daren Gardiner

Daren Gardiner is a Clinical Exercise Physiologist with the Calgary Fire Department (CFD) and currently holds the position of Leader, Health and Wellness. In this role he has oversight over CFD’s Wellness Centre and it’s staff, which serves the entire uniformed membership of the department providing services such as annual occupational medicals. Daren joined CFD in 2004 and over the course of his career he has been involved in all aspects of CFD’s wellness and fitness operations. He was an instrumental member of the team that founded CFD’s Wellness Centre, which specializes in assessing fire fighters’ physical fitness and mental and physical health by employing best practices and current research.

Further, Daren has administered fitness assessments, conducted lifestyle counselling, and designed and implemented exercise programs for countless incumbent members. He would like to humbly believe that his work has had, and continues to have, a positive impact by promoting and influencing lifestyle change and injury reduction among CFD’s membership. Darren has had the great fortunate to collaborate with other great, like-minded staff in various divisions such as Training, Safety, Ability Management, and Operations to successfully implement many great programs that promote and support fire fighter well-being and resiliency. His work at CFD has been an exemplar for how departments can support the health and wellness of their members across their careers.

Aaron Johnson

Aaron Johnson is currently an Acting Lieutenant in Operations with the Calgary Fire Department, where he has served since 2007. A member of the department’s Aquatic Rescue Team since 2008, Aaron has extensive experience in rescue operations, instruction, and firefighter development. He has assisted in teaching engine operations/fire suppression, search and rescue, fire ground survival, peer fitness, leadership (L280), and reintegration facilitation, and has instructed across all components of the Aquatic Rescue Program. Aaron also serves as a recruitment ambassador and is passionate about developing others through training and leadership

Blaine Worobetz

Blaine Worobetz is currently a Qualified District Chief in Operations with the Calgary Fire Department, where he has served since 2001. He is as member of the department’s various specialty teams including Hazmat, Technical Rescue, Peer Support and Peer Fitness Trainer. Blaine is the longest serving Peer Fitness Trainer, was a team member on CFDs first fire fit team and has competed in the Police Fire Games. He has instructed the Fire Starter Program, Pump Operations, Hazmat, High Angle Rope Rescue and Vehicle Extrication. Blaine has been a key player in the Peer Fitness Trainer relaunch and presented the idea of adding it to the District Chiefs portfolio’s for operational oversight. Blaine shares a passion for fire fighter health and wellness and has continued to support this throughout his career.