Wellness Solutions in Action

Prioritizing Firefighter Health with San Diego Fire-Rescue Department

Members of the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department recognize that there needs to be a shift in culture regarding conversations about mental health and its connection to physical health. The department started their peer support team with 10 members. Since then, their program has seen tremendous growth with up to 70 team members and support animals, providing services for various challenges that firefighters face with their work or personal lives. San Diego Fire-Rescue Department takes wellness to the next level with its Wellness Center, providing annual physical exams, cancer screenings, submaximal stress tests, nutrition education, athletic training, and physical therapy. The department serves as a role model for prioritizing and supporting the well-being of its members.