Health & Wellness Training For Detroit First Responders

FirstNet, Built with AT&T and O2X Human Performance are collaborating to support the health, wellness and human performance of first responders nationwide. This week’s training workshop was held in Detroit, Michigan. This training program brought a certified health, wellness and resilience curriculum aimed at first responders in addition to public health and safety officials.

The mental and physical performance workshops are run by O2X, a training and education company founded by former Navy SEALs.The training provides evidenced-based skills that support tactical athletes - personnel who require unique physical training strategies aimed at optimizing occupational physical performance, which includes public safety professionals. Tactical athletes serving in public safety risk their lives daily to keep their communities safe. They endure physical, and more importantly, mental stress throughout their careers and as a result, it’s become critical that they train properly to stay physically ready, but also maintain their mental health. Tactical athletic training seeks to integrate skills into the lives of first responders, so they are ready, resilient, and able to answer the call.

Over the course of three days, participants learned how small, incremental changes can lead to sustainable performance and lifestyle improvements. The topics covered included strategies to mitigate the risk of injury, tools to enhance performance under pressure and manage high stress jobs, and education on proper nutrition, sleep hygiene, and foundations of movement - all designed specifically to meet unique training needs of first responders.

During the sessions, participants heard from members of O2X’s team that included U.S. Special Operations veterans, strength and conditioning specialists, mental performance experts, PhDs in nutrition and psychology, as well as sleep scientists.“Our first responders put their lives on the line every day to protect our community and we take their health and wellness seriously,” said Dr. Anna Fitch Courie, DPN, RN, PHNA-BC, Director, Responder Wellness, FirstNet Program at AT&T. “This program has proven successful and we’re hoping our collaboration will allow more first responders to feel equipped both mentally and physically to handle their jobs.”

This training program reinforces the strategic priorities established by the FirstNet Health and Wellness Coalition (FNHWC) to support first responders and their families. The mission of the FNHWC is to integrate responder, community, industry, and academic capabilities to support the health, wellness, and readiness of American first responders. “We’re excited to begin this new relationship alongside FirstNet in the great state of Michigan,” said Paul McCullough, Co-founder at O2X Human Performance. “This three-day workshop will act as a foundation for these firefighters to keep their physical health and mental wellness a part of their daily lives, in order to stay prepared for the demands of the job.”

O2X Human Performance has successfully worked with hundreds of public safety agencies nationwide to provide innovative training and education aimed to help first responders finish their careers as strong as they started. Visit o2x.com for additional information.