Welcome!

We officially kicked off the second aim of the FEMA grant. The South Dakota Firefighters Association invited us to conduct our first round of focus group sessions at their Fall Conference October 10-12. Dr. Barry and Brett were able to meet with 11 firefighters to discuss topics about health and wellness policies, facilitators and barriers to physical activity and nutrition implementation, and knowledge and application of existing resources and health and wellness programs.

Additionally, they talked to other volunteers across the state who were interested in our project and shared more insightful thoughts on what we can do to better improve the health and wellness of volunteers in South Dakota. Finally, they took part in the Annual Fallen Firefighter Memorial Service. Dr. Barry said, "The service was a somber reminder of our 'why' remembering to serve those who make sure we are helped on what could be the worst days of our lives."

Dr. Allie Barry along with Megan Northrup (Co-Investigator), Dr. Meendering (Mentor/Co-Investigator) and our external collaborators were awarded a ~$20,000 pilot grant for her project, “Enhancing Firefighter Health: An Action Plan for Wellness and Fitness Compliance” from the Midwest Center for Occupational Safety and Health (MCOHS). 

The FRST Center will collaborate with career department, Sioux Falls Fire and Rescue to develop a blueprint to assemble a Wellness Stakeholder Group and construct a needs analysis to comply with NFPA recommendations and OSHA policy. This project will allow us to expand our work focus on volunteer firefighters to career firefighters.

FRST Center Undergraduate Research Assistants, Ella Danner and Ally Abraham, delivered thank you baskets to the local Brookings Fire and Police stations at the end of September. The FRST Center is so grateful for the support from each of these departments, and we couldn't do the work we do without them!