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Firefighting is a high-risk occupation that requires a certain level of physical fitness. Firefighters must be able to lug heavy equipment in extreme heat, chop through thick doors and run up countless flights of stairs. In fact, firefighting is widely considered one of the most physically demanding occupations.

Despite the physical fitness requirements, a majority of fire departments do not have a prescribed fitness and health program for their firefighters. A new project from South Dakota State University is working to change that.

Allison Barry, an assistant professor in SDSU's School of Health and Human Sciences, has been conducting research in support of tactical populations, like career and volunteer firefighters, for the last few years. Recently, she was awarded a grant from the Midwest Center for Occupational Health and Safety Education and Research Center to create a blueprint that departments can use to develop physical fitness plans for their firefighters. Barry is partnering with to pilot the project by creating an action plan and stakeholder group.

"We are excited to collaborate with Sioux Falls Fire Rescue to capitalize on what they are already doing and enhance their wellness fitness initiative moving forward," Barry said. "The collaboration will form a wellness stakeholder group within the department to work alongside our research team. We plan on creating a blueprint for other career departments to utilize when developing their wellness fitness initiative to improve health and wellness in firefighters during their career and hopefully sustain well into retirement."

Other members of the SDSU research team include faculty members Jessica Meendering and Megan Northrup.

Meendering is a professor in the School of Health and Human Sciences and director of its exercise science program. She will help mentor and develop the assessments needed to build the program.

Northrup is the director of the accelerated graduate program in nutrition and dietetics in the School of Health and Human Sciences. She will bring her expertise in nutrition to the project.

"Sioux Falls Fire Rescue is excited to work with Dr. Allison Barry and the SDSU School of Health and Human Sciences," said Luke Smidt, division chief for Sioux Falls Fire Rescue. "Through the research that Dr. Barry is doing, Sioux Falls Fire Rescue  will be expand the health, wellness, and fitness program we currently have to provide a blueprint for what physical training, nutrition and recovery is needed to provide the highest level of service to the citizens of Sioux Falls. This research will provide the men and women who serve on Sioux Falls Fire Rescue with the tools they need to continue to improve their performance, maintain their health, and provide career longevity in a physically demanding career."