(Part 2 of 2 part series about firefighters on-going training and service to the community.)
One of the Nestucca Rural Fire Protection District’s largest recent focuses has been firefighter health and wellness.
Modern research has increasingly shown that firefighters face significantly elevated risks for cancer, cardiac disease, and other occupational illnesses due to repeated exposure to smoke, chemicals, carcinogens, exhaust, lack of sleep and high-stress environments.
In response, NRFPD has implemented NFPA-based firefighter medical evaluations for its career personnel and is actively working toward providing those same physicals for volunteer firefighters as well.
These evaluations assess cardiovascular health, lung function, vision, bloodwork markers, and early indicators for certain diseases and cancers.
“We ask firefighters to perform physically demanding and mentally stressful work in dangerous environments,” said Neel. “It is important that we take care of our people, not just after something goes wrong, but before it becomes a problem.”
The district has also partnered with local community organizations that provide firefighters with access to workout equipment, cardio facilities, and swimming resources to improve overall health and readiness.
Mental health support has become another major priority.
NRFPD regularly provides training on stress management, emotional resilience, and mental wellness, while also ensuring firefighters have access to support resources if they are struggling following difficult incidents.
“We are a family here,” Neel said. “Career or volunteer, every single person matters. We care about each other, and we understand that healthy firefighters are better able to protect the people who depend on us.”
District leadership credits much of NRFPD’s recent progress to partnerships and collaboration with larger fire departments throughout Oregon that have assisted with policy development, operational guidance, training systems, and firefighter health initiatives.
“We are constantly learning,” Neel said. “Knowledge sharing is one of the most important parts of the fire service. We have worked with some incredible departments throughout the state that have helped us continue improving our systems, our training, and our safety programs.”
Over the last six years, NRFPD has experienced a lot of organizational growth, expanding from a department with only a handful of employees into a district that continues to build a stronger operational foundation for the future.
Leadership says the goal is not simply growth, but sustainable growth built on professionalism, preparation, accountability, and community trust.
“We understand this takes time, effort, and commitment,” Neel said. “But if we are willing to put this much work into the small things behind the scenes, then hopefully our community understands how seriously we take the moment when we arrive at their 911 call.”
“Our firefighters care deeply about this community,” he continued. “We are constantly striving to better ourselves, because the people who call us on their worst day deserve our very best.”
For more about Nestucca Rural Fire Protection District, go to https://www.nrfpdor.gov/