Harrisonburg Firefighter’s Wellness Initiative

Contact Information

CHBS (College of Health and Behavioral Studies)

Description

The Harrisonburg Fire Department was charged with developing a comprehensive wellness plans for its 75 full time firefighters. Assessments for all 75 firefighters were conducted in the summer of 2010 with the assistance of student volunteers and Health Sciences faculty. Starting in the 2010-11 academic year, firefighters were used as clients in the yearlong senior HAP Client Assessment/Wellness Project. This collaborative agreement will benefit the Harrisonburg Fire Department in developing wellness goals for its firefighters and provide an overall profile of the health risks for the department as a whole and unique health characteristic for each individual shift. The fire department health profile was recently used in applying for grants that are available for fire departments nationwide. HAP students benefit from working with individuals who exhibit health risk concerns and a unique population whose job requires physical fitness standards and tasks that must be performed competently.

Web Presence

http://www.healthsci.jmu.edu/hap/outreach.html

Involvement

Involves Faculty, Involves Students, Involves Participants External to JMU

Date

Began in 2010

Frequency

Ongoing (Currently in existence, year round)

Primary Focus of Program

Health and Healthcare

Community Partner Name

Harrisonburg Fire Department

Areas of Engagement

Community Engagement, Engaged Learning

Format

Program

On/Off campus

Off campus