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Healthier Phoenix: Catch the Fire!

A Healthier Phoenix: Our Family Helping Your Family

[Physical Fitness]  [Nutrition]  [Prevention]   [Healthy Choices]

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If you look at the numbers, it can be overwhelming. Obesity is epidemic in the United States. In recent years, diabetes rates among people ages 30 to 39 rose by 70%. About 46.5 million adults in the United States smoke cigarettes, even though this single behavior will result in disability and premature death for half of them. More than 60% of American adults do not get enough physical activity, and more than 25% are not active at all.

Chronic diseases are often the most common and costly of any community's health problems. Almost every citizen is affected by chronic disease in some way--through the death of a loved one, a relative or friend's struggle with lifelong illness, or one's own disability. A person's compromised quality of life impacts much of society, not only personally, but also financially with the economic burden affecting society as a whole. Many of these chronic diseases could be prevented with a commitment to regular physical activity, proper nutrition, health pre-screens and immunizations, and making healthy choices to avoid risky behavior.

The Phoenix Fire Department responds to over 120,000 emergency medical calls a year. Many of these are a direct result of obesity, tobacco use, and chronic disease. The mission of the Phoenix Fire Department is simple: Prevent Harm, Survive, and Be Nice. We accomplish this mission by being proactive and committed to prevention as well as by being well-trained, quick to respond, and operationally ready. Currently, the Phoenix Fire Department provides flu immunizations to the community, teaches Urban Survival to K-8th grade, provides fitness and wellness mentorship to High Schools with our Fire FitKids program, and participates in numerous community health fairs to educate our customers on wellness and fitness.

The Phoenix Fire Department has a long legacy of protecting not only its citizens, but also its own people. In order to protect the city of Phoenix, our fire department understands the need for healthy firefighters, promoting firefighter health and wellness through education, prevention, and early detection. The fire department fosters its healthy lifestyle commitment with easy access to the services required to make this happen. In addition, the fire department creates many opportunities for its members to participate in physical fitness so that a healthier lifestyle is encouraged both in the fire house and at home. Our department would like to extend this healthy lifestyle commitment to the communities we serve.

If you'd like to start your own healthier lifestyle, click HERE.

To see what the Phoenix Fire Department is doing to help improve community wellness, click HERE.