BREWSTER – On Friday November 17, the Barnstable County Fire Chiefs Association hosted a one-day fire service conference titled “Firefighter Health/Wellness and Leadership” at the Captains Golf Course in Brewster. The speakers for this dynamic training program included Deputy U.S. Fire Administrator Dr. Denis O’Nieal, Boston Fire Commissioner Joseph Finn, and members of the firefighter Health & Wellness group O2X.
During the program which attracted 90 firefighters from across Cape Cod and the region Commissioner Finn spoke on firefighter cancer awareness, proper use of PPE, and the current and future efforts the Boston Fire Department has and will undertake to prevent this disease from further affecting their own members and all firefighters throughout the nation. The O2X group spoke on a variety of firefighter health and wellness related subjects including proper diet, exercise, stress, PTSD, annual medical exams, and their industry leading health and wellness course scheduled to be offered in the spring of 2018 to Cape Cod fire departments. Dr. O’Nieal closed the day by speaking on developing and implementing highly effective leadership qualities on both personal and organizational levels, the benefits of formal and informal education and training, and the future of the United States fire service.
It is extremely rare to have two fire service leaders of Commissioner Finn and Dr. O’Nieal’s caliber speak at a regional based conference such as this. The Chiefs Association and all of the firefighters in attendance are exceptionally appreciative to have had the opportunity to study the outstanding messages and valuable leadership lessons provided by these two fire service legends.
Media release and photo furnished by Barsntable County Fire Chief’s Association.
