Background
Darrell has a Master’s degree in Exercise Science from Indiana University, Bloomington IN., and over 35 years’ experience in the wellness-fitness industry. For the last 22 years he has worked exclusively with first responders. Throughout this time, Darrell served as Director of Fitness and Health Promotion for an occupational medicine clinic that provided services to police and fire departments throughout Indiana. It was in that role that he became involved with the Indianapolis Fire Department, Indianapolis Professional Fire Fighters, IAFF Local 416, and the IAFF/IAFC Joint Labor Management Wellness Fitness Initiative (WFI). Darrell is an inaugural member of the Peer Fitness Trainer (PFT) instructor cadre, and was an original member of the Technical Oversight Committee for the PFT Certification Program.
After leaving his position at the medical clinic, Darrell served as a Research Associate at Indiana University, where he assisted with a study investigating the physiological stress associated with structural fire fighting. Since 2008, he has worked as an independent consultant in the fire service, where he regularly provides services in the areas of wellness-fitness, and the development and validation of work performance evaluations. In addition to his consultancy, Darrell continues to instruct courses for the F2T program. He finds working with fire fighters incredibly rewarding, and takes pride in serving those who serve and protect their communities.
Activity Habits
Outside of work, Darrell enjoys spending time with his family, and being involved with his church. Growing up on a farm cultivated a love for engaging in outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, hunting and fishing. At this stage in his life, Darrell is motivated to be active because it is a means by which he can maintain his health, and his capacity to continue to engage in the previously mentioned pursuits, which are incredibly important to him. His exercise routines typically revolve around hiking, biking, elliptical machine training, and resistance training with dumbbells, kettlebells, and bands.
Darrell’s obstacles to being as active as he would like to be are not unlike anyone else’s; sometimes life gets in the way. He has adopted the following philosophy for dealing with these challenges: “When you get knocked out of the saddle, get back up, dust yourself off, and get back in the saddle. If it keeps happening, time to get another horse”. In other words, Darrell has found that a balance between persistence and adaptability has served him well in navigating the challenges life has thrown his way.
Perspectives on F2T and fire fighter wellness and fitness
In Darrell’s opinion, the F2T program is unique because it is designed with an understanding of fire fighters’ needs, and the challenges they face towards better health and fitness. As a result, the program is comprehensive in that it addresses the whole person in all aspects of their life. The two words he would use to describe the program are cutting edge. Fire fighters and departments can be confident in knowing that the content and services accessible through the program are evidence-informed and based on sound scientific research.
Darrell would like departments and fire fighters to know that the program is there for them. It is very accessible to all fire fighters regardless of their current level of fitness, and experience with physical activity and exercise. He would advise fire fighters thinking about investing in their wellness and fitness that the most important investment anyone can make is in their own health; whether it be physical, emotional, and/or spiritual. When one’s health is compromised their ability to fulfil their needs and wants is compromised. Darrell turns to the following quote from Herophilus, physician to Alexander the Great, as an illustrative reminder of this:
When health is absent,
Wisdom cannot reveal herself,
Strength cannot fight,
Knowledge cannot be applied,
Art cannot become manifest,
And wealth becomes useless.
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