First responders play a critical role in keeping our communities safe and healthy by quickly responding to urgent and life-dependent situations. But given the seriousness of their responsibilities along with their demanding workloads, they’re also frequently faced with immense amounts of stress, which can in turn have an impact on their overall wellbeing.
According to a report published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), first responders have a greater risk of developing behavioral health conditions like PTSD and depression. In addition, a recent survey performed by New York State found that 68 percent of first responders experience stress, while more than half also report burnout and anxiety. And studies have found that first responders like firefighters may have an elevated risk of developing certain health conditions.
“Like most fire departments across the country, we battle the ‘big three’ when it comes to firefighter health: cancer, heart disease, and mental health,” says Kyle Bode, health and wellness coordinator at the St. Paul Fire Department in Minnesota.
But leadership within first responder organizations can help support their team members’ wellbeing by implementing programming aimed at supporting physical and emotional wellness. We spoke with Bode to learn more about the strategies and wellness programs his team has in place to help first responders take better care of themselves, on and off the job.
Mental Health Support and Awareness
When Bode became a firefighter 20 years ago, he says mental health wasn’t something that was talked about openly. “The culture was all about pushing emotions down, toughening up, and moving on. Phrases like ‘toughen up’ and ‘get over it’ were common,” he explains. “We now know that approach isn’t just unhelpful—it’s harmful.”
These days, mental health is discussed with future firefighters throughout their 14-week training program, Bode says. “Even after firefighters leave the academy, we offer ongoing mental health training to normalize talking about stress, trauma, and getting help before things become serious,” he adds.
To prioritize mental health, the St. Paul Fire Department has established a Peer Support Team, which Bode says provides firefighters with a safe and confidential space to speak with fellow firefighters who can relate to the challenging nature of the job.
“Knowing that someone who has been in their shoes is available to listen and provide support makes it much easier for firefighters to open up,” he says.
An emphasis on mindfulness is also being implemented in the St. Paul Fire Department, and Bode says that Peloton’s wide range of meditation and yoga classes have helped support that message.
“By far, meditation and yoga have been the biggest game-changers for mental health,” he notes. “When I became a St. Paul firefighter 20 years ago, these weren’t even on my radar—or most firefighters' radar. Now, I use at least one of them daily. They’ve become an essential part of managing stress and maintaining mental resilience, especially in such a high-pressure job.”
Health Education
Firefighters are 9 percent more likely to be diagnosed with cancer and 14 percent more likely to die from cancer-related deaths, according to research by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). To address this increased risk of disease, Bode says the St. Paul Fire Department has established a Cancer Task Force that focuses on reducing cancer risk by implementing prevention strategies and providing department-wide education on cancer risks and mitigation.
Another area of health education that’s gaining necessary attention is sleep and recovery. “Firefighters run on unpredictable schedules, and sleep deprivation can take a serious toll on both physical and mental health,” Bode explains. “We’ve become much more aware of the importance of quality sleep, hydration, and nutrition in maintaining peak performance.”
In fact, sleep deprivation is one of the biggest challenges being faced in fire service today, Bode says. “Firefighters are busier than ever, responding to more calls with fewer resources, and that means we’re getting less and less sleep. We’re learning just how bad that is—not only for our physical health but also for mental health, decision-making, and long-term well-being.”
Overall, Bode hopes to see a bigger focus on sleep science within the fire service industry in the near future. “This could mean re-evaluating shift schedules to allow for better rest and recovery, improving sleeping conditions in firehouses, and providing more education on sleep hygiene and fatigue management,” he notes. “Some departments are already experimenting with alternative shift models to reduce sleep disruption, and I hope that trend continues.”
Versatile Fitness Programming
Being a firefighter is physically demanding, so it’s important that they have time to exercise and train. But Bode says that unpredictable schedules and long shifts can make it difficult for firefighters to commit to a regular gym routine.
To address physical wellness, and therefore help reduce the risk of certain health issues, Bode’s station established a Peer Fitness Team, consisting of a group of firefighters from all ranks who have completed a firefighter-specific personal training certification. “These peer trainers lead by example, providing fitness guidance tailored to the unique demands of the job,” he says.
Having convenient and versatile fitness programming from Peloton available on site has also helped firefighters of all fitness levels prioritize exercise. “The Peloton Bike is perfect because firefighters can just hop on, pick a class, and go—no need to plan a workout or figure out what to do,” says Bode. “With limited time between calls, having something simple, effective, and ready to go makes a huge difference.”
Stretching is another area of fitness that’s much more of a focus in the fire department now than it used to be, Bode says. “When I first started, we might have done a couple of minutes of static stretching after a workout, but that was about it. Now, we emphasize dynamic stretching before workouts to improve mobility and static stretching afterward to aid recovery,” he says. Peloton offers a wide-range of recovery and stretching classes, including recovery rides, foam rolling, and more.
In addition to convenient workouts, Bode says that having Peloton equipment on site has helped build community and motivation. “Firefighters are naturally competitive and thrive in team environments, so features like Leaderboards, group rides, and challenges help keep them engaged,” he says. “It also allows them to work out alongside their crew or even connect with other first responders who use the platform.”
Bode’s team members aren’t the only first responders who see the benefits of using Peloton: Nearly two-thirds of Peloton Member and non-member public safety workers surveyed in a Peloton 2024 research study said they would feel more prepared to do their job if they had access to Peloton equipment at work.
Interested in bringing Peloton to your organization?