First Responder Support Training Center
We're committed to enhancing the health and wellness of first responders. From firefighters and law enforcement to emergency medical services and other tactical professionals, our work is centered on those who serve our communities every day.
Our Center
- Provides occupation-specific resources
- Showcases a growing network of team members and collaborators
- Shares updates on research and grant initiatives designed to address the real-world needs of first responders
Led by assistant professor Allison Barry, our team is passionate about tackling the health challenges, education gaps and infrastructure needs faced by this essential workforce.
Current Grants
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Title: Empowering Volunteer Firefighters: A Community-Based Approach to Enhancing Physical Activity and Nutrition
The purpose of this three-year proposal is to address strategies to increase physical activity and improve nutrition among South Dakota volunteer firefighters.
Recognizing the critical role of health and wellness in ensuring firefighter performance and safety, this project seeks to investigate the barriers and feasibility of implementing a community-based strategic plan to support this dedicated population.
The initiative will unfold in three phases: Aim 1 involves conducting a needs analysis to understand fire department culture, training, health programs and barriers to implementing such programs. Building on the findings from Aim 1, we will conduct focus groups during Aim 2 (current phase) with firefighters and fire chiefs to gather input and explore the feasibility and implementation of health programs. Finally, in Aim 3 we will implement a newly-developed strategic plan to enhance physical activity and nutrition across the state's fire service.
Midwest Center for Occupational Safety and Health
Title: Enhancing Firefighter Health: An Action Plan for Wellness and Fitness Compliance
Barry along with Megan Northrup (co-investigator), Jessica Meendering (mentor/co-investigator), our external collaborators, and other members of the center will be partnering with Sioux Falls Fire and Rescue to develop a blueprint for career departments to assemble a wellness stakeholder group and construct a needs analysis to comply with National Fire Protection Association recommendations and Occupational Safety and Health Administration policy.
This project will allow us to expand our work focus on volunteer firefighters to career firefighters.
Brett Deschler
Ally Abraham and Ella Danner
