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Session Evaluation

AOHC 2026 Concurrent Sessions

Health and Human Performance

223 - Igniting Change: The Firefighter Wellness Fitness Initiative

Monday, April 20, 2026
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM CT
Location: Chicago Ballroom VIII
Claim 1.0 CME

All relevant financial relationships have been mitigated.


Disclosure(s):

Grady Valencis: No financial relationships to disclose
Dan Whu, MD, MPH, FACPM: No financial relationships to disclose
Session Description: Join representatives from the International Association of Firefighters as they highlight the newest edition of the Wellness Fitness Initiative (WFI). The WFI has been one of the most comprehensive resources created to support fire fighter wellness and fitness aimed to highlight the interdisciplinary nature of wellness, establish the importance of collaboration between labor and management, remove any punitive associations with physical fitness, and expand the focus from fitness and performance outcomes to include behavioral change. The WFI will be the principal, most comprehensive and inclusive resource available to support firefighter wellness and fitness.

Educational Gaps: Firefighters are at higher risk for cardiovascular disease, cancer and other health conditions. This session aims to disseminate information on the latest edition of the IAFF/IAFC fire service joint labor-management Wellness Fitness Initiative.

Is this session being sponsored by an ACOEM Section or Component?: N/A

Has this session previously been presented?: N/A

The AOHC 2026 theme is Healthy workers. Healthy world: The session fits perfectly with the theme. Fire fighters protect our communities every day, but their health risks are among the highest of any workforce. The newest edition of the Wellness-Fitness Initiative (WFI) shows how collaboration, innovation, and culture change can keep these essential workers healthy and strong. By investing in healthier fire fighters, we build stronger, safer communities—truly advancing the vision of Healthy Workers. Healthy World.

Learning Objectives:

  • Describe key occupational health risks for firefighters (e.g., cancer, cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal injury, mental health)
  • Differentiate between wellness behaviors and outcomes and explain their role in firefighter well-being
  • Apply the WFI “Igniting Change” framework by describing its five domains and their impact on wellness-fitness initiatives

    Faculty(s)

  • Grady Valencis

    Deputy Director for Health and Safety
    International Association of Fire Fighters

    Handouts

  • Dan Whu, MD, MPH, FACPM

    Chief Medical Officer
    International Association of Fire Fighters

    • Moderator(s)

  • TT

    Tiffany Tam, MD, MPH

    Resident Physician
    Occupational and Environmental Medicine Residency Program, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health