Garrett Kim

Background

Garrett joined the Hawaii Fire Department (HFD) in May, 2000 and currently serves in the role of Captain for one of HFD’s recuse companies, along with serving as the departments wellness-fitness coordinator. He is a member of Hawaii Fire Fighters Association, IAFF Local 1463. Over his career he has held multiple roles in the department such as Fire-Rescue Specialist, Chief of Special Operations and Fire Ground Survival Lead Instructor.

Garrett became certified as a PFT in 2003 and joined the instructor cadre in 2012. Living on the Big Island of Hawaii, he has the distinction of having accumulated the most air miles out of all the PFT cadre in his travels across the continent to instruct classes. As a life-long learner, being an instructor affords Garrett opportunities to learn from other fire fighters and leaders in the fire service. He also finds it enjoyable to share his knowledge and experiences with the fire fighters he instructs, and feels especially gratified when he sees students experience “light-bulb moments”; a signal that a student has achieved a deeper understanding of a concept, and/or connected an experience in class with something meaningful in their lives. Coming from Hawaii and going to the mainland, Garrett still feels the common bond that exists among people who do the same job, take the same risks, and lead very similar lifestyles. The bonds he has formed in his over 10 years as an instructor have been life-changing, and have changed his outlook on fire culture and what it means to be a American.

Activity Habits

Life outside of the job for Garrett primarily revolves around being a Dad, which keeps him busy and always moving. He also coaches soccer and is a motorcycle drag-racer. Garrett has been physically active his entire life, so for him doing something physically active on a daily basis had become a conditioned behavior and not something he has to invest energy to achieve per se. He partakes in many different forms of physical activity ranging from structured exercise (e.g., weightlifting and hiking) to movement linked to utilitarian ends, such as yard work. In fact, a large part of Garrett’s daily physical activity comprises of maintaining his 5 acres of property. Lack of time has always been a challenge for him in achieving his goals (physical activity or otherwise). However, leading a lifestyle intricately woven with physical activity allows him to maintain his capacity during busy periods where it can be challenging to find dedicated time to exercise.

Perspectives on F2T and fire fighter wellness and fitness

In Garrett’s opinion, the F2T program is unique because it can be configured to fit the needs of all fire fighters. The program is not solely designed for athletes or fire fighters who currently have a physical activity practice, but rather it has components for everyone regardless of age, background, and/or fitness level. The program provides a common framework to help people achieve their goals; as different as they may be. He would like fire fighters and departments to be aware of the commitment the IAFF has made to members’ health and wellness. The F2T program is a culmination of years of work by people who have a deep passion for the betterment of every IAFF member’s health and wellness, and that of their family.

The phrase Garrett would use to describe the value of the F2T program for fire fighters is ‘nothing else matters’. He believes that a fire fighter’s personal health and the health of their family is priority number one. Other things pale in comparison when one’s health or the health of their family is less than optimal. Garrett has experienced this first hand as a survivor of an aggressive cancer that almost killed him a year after becoming a father. He would advise fire fighters thinking about investing in their wellness and fitness to reflect that money, status, and rank mean very little if you are sick, or your child is sick. Garrett believes that one’s health and wellness enables them to do everything they want to do in life, so fire fighters should make it a priority and everything else they desire will fall into place after that.