Mike Cacciola

Background

Lieutenant Mike Cacciola is a retired, 28 year veteran of the New York City Fire Department (FDNY). He was a member of New York Uniformed Fire Officers Association, IAFF Local 854. He holds a B.S. degree in Health and Physical Education, and taught part-time for 18 years as an adjunct professor of Health Education at Manhattan Community College. After graduating from the FDNY Fire Academy, Mike began his career as a fire fighter at an engine company in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. After relocating his family to suburban Rockland County, Mike transferred to Washington Heights, Manhattan, where after 6 years he was promoted to Lieutenant. For the last 16 years of his career, Mike served as the Director of Health and Fitness for the FDNY. After the tragic events of September 11th, 2001, Mike and his staff were given the responsibility of directing the physical training of FDNY recruits at the FDNY Fire Academy. During his 16 year tenure, Mike and his staff trained over 8,000 recruits, preparing them to protect lives and property throughout the 5 boroughs of New York City.

In 1999, Mike was selected to be a subject matter expert in the validation of the IAFF/IAFC Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT). After introducing CPAT to the FDNY, he was responsible for the implementation and supervision of the FDNY CPAT Training Program, which assisted thousands of potential candidates in preparing for the test. Mike was also an integral part of the development and implementation of the original IAFF/IAFC Joint Labor Management Wellness-Fitness Initiative (WFI). He considers this to be one of the most important duties of his career, as it has helped to save the lives of many fire service members, as well as improve their health and quality of life. Mike was also instrumental in the development of the IAFF/IAFC Peer Fitness Trainer (PFT) Program, and is an inaugural member of its instructor cadre. Since retiring in 2016, Mike continues to promote wellness and fitness in the fire service through teaching and presenting at various IAFF/fire service sponsored programs and events. He believes that that through continued education and program development a significant positive impact can be made in the health, longevity and quality of life of all members of the fire service.

Activity Habits

Mike has always been very active outside of work, and remains so even in retirement. He enjoys rooting for his favorite teams, the New York Yankees and Giants, and especially enjoys spending time at this beach house on the New Jersey shore with his wife, three children, and three grandchildren. Mike was an avid runner and cyclist throughout his career, although he started transitioning away from running regularly as he neared retirement. He remains a dedicate cyclist, and also enjoys swimming, hiking, paddleboarding and weight training.

Mike’s motivation to be active began early in his life and was connected to his athletic pursuits; mainly Football. Upon entering the fire service, being fit for duty became an important motivational factor and continued Mike’s interest in training and being fit and well. His role as Director of Health and Fitness was motivational in and of itself, since Mike believed strongly in not only “talking the talk” but “walking the walk” to set an example for the recruits he was training. At this stage in his life, remaining active enables Mike to not only reap the health benefits of physical activity, but also experience the social interactions associated with exercise, sports, and recreational activities. Although the bumps and bruises he has accumulated over the years sometime pose a challenge to him being as active as he would like, the skills and tactics he as picked up as an F2T instructor have allowed Mike to adapt his physical pursuits so that any limitations from past injuries don’t act as barriers.

Perspectives on F2T and fire fighter wellness and fitness

In Mike’s opinion, the F2T program is unique because it is designed to facilitate the needs, wants, and preferences of every member of the fire service. As a result, every fire fighter who wants to get involved can do so, and reap the benefits. He wants fire fighters to know that by engaging in the program they will see an improvement in their health, which will in turn improve all areas of their life. Mike believes the value of this program is tremendous for the individual, but also for the department, since it offers fire service leaders resources and mentorship on how to support their members’ health and wellness.

The two words Mike would use to describe the value of wellness and fitness for fire fighters is life changing. He would advise fire fighters thinking about investing in their wellness and fitness that it is something that they need to do for themselves, for their families, and their future. Investing in new wellness and fitness behaviors can have positive outcomes beyond just improvements in fitness, and Mike would recommend that fire fighters involve the people most important in their lives, such as their significant other and children, in their pursuit.