Wellness for firefighters

SDSU researcher Allison Barry has received a grant from FEMA to develop strategic plans to improve health and well-being outcomes for rural volunteer firefighters.

Volunteer firefighters play a crucial role in protecting rural communities, and over time, their services have expanded in assisting communities during natural disasters, medical emergencies and other hazardous incidents. In the United States, roughly 65% of the 1.1 million firefighters are volunteers. In South Dakota, that number is even higher as 96% of all the state's firefighters are volunteers.

As volunteers, many firefighters — particularly rural volunteer firefighters — do not have adequate resources to ensure they are physically up to the challenges of firefighting, which includes long hours, lack of sleep, exposure to death and a risk of personal safety. Volunteer firefighters make personal sacrifices to protect their community. However, many fire departments do not have the tools needed to prepare their volunteers for the on-duty demands and responsibilities.

A new project from South Dakota State University’s School of Health and Human Sciences, led by assistant professor Allison Barry, will develop a strategic plan to incorporate physical activity and nutritional strategies in rural volunteer fire departments nationwide. Barry will utilize a statewide study and focus groups throughout South Dakota to understand the needs of volunteer firefighters. She will use the data collected to develop the strategic plan. 

"Using a collaborative network of leading experts and South Dakota firefighter stakeholders, we will develop a comprehensive strategic plan that can be deployed statewide," Barry said. "Following the plan's creation, we will be able to provide a roadmap for successfully implementing and improving outcomes for firefighters."

Marni Shoemaker, another assistant professor in the School of Health and Human Sciences and a registered dietician, will provide nutritional guidance during the development of the strategic plan.

Barry's project is backed by a grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency. This is the first FEMA grant for SDSU's entire research enterprise.

“We are thrilled to announce that assistant professor Dr. Allison Barry has received federal funding from FEMA to advance health improvements for rural firefighters in South Dakota. Dr. Barry’s passion, innovative spirit and exceptional skill in building collaborative networks are crucial assets as she spearheads this important initiative," said Jessica Meendering, director for the School of Health and Human Sciences. "Her approach, focusing on programming and policy systems and environmental changes, will ensure that the supports developed are both feasible and sustainable, ultimately fostering lasting improvements in nutrition and physical activity for these dedicated first responders."

Because of firefighting's high-risk nature, there has been a push by the International Association of Fire Fighters and the International Association of Fire Chiefs to improve and promote healthy behaviors of firefighters. The push began in 1997 after an alarming rate of on-duty deaths and injury-related retirements in the fire service. While much of the initial work was focused on career, professional service firefighters, Barry's project will fill in the research gaps by focusing on rural volunteer firefighters.

One of the key aspects of the project will be assessing the needs and infrastructure of South Dakota's 294 fire departments.

"South Dakota is unique with its high percentage of volunteer firefighters," Barry said. "The vast difference in geographical access of the departments across the state leads to distinct barriers on accessibility and feasibility of wellness programming."

The three-year project is titled "Empowering Volunteer Firefighters: A Community-Based Approach to Enhancing PA and Nutrition" and is funded through a $600,000 grant from FEMA.