A significant milestone in OKFRWD’s journey was the acquisition of 12 BeaverFit Performance Lockers and four Beyond Trailers, funded through the Department of Public Safety, making functional fitness more accessible for first responders throughout the state. The Performance Lockers create an outdoor training environment with a fully-loaded container gym, and the mobile fitness trailers bring a gym on wheels wherever it is needed – whether that be an event, a training, a conference, or a deployment.
While enhancing physical fitness is indeed a primary objective, the ultimate goal is to foster a sense of community and connection among first responders, Long explained, which then opens the door for meaningful conversation and assistance in other areas of overall well-being.
Along with the increased physical fitness component, OKFRWD integrated mental health seamlessly into its program, offering an hour of mental health training alongside prescribed workouts. This creates a unique opportunity for first responders to complete their state-mandated mental health training outside of a traditional classroom setting.
Moreover, OKFRWD incorporated sleep treatment beds, neurological stimulation, financial classes tailored for first responders, and more, to their comprehensive approach to wellness.
“What we’re really about is preventative maintenance versus needing a rescue when your house is on fire,” Long said. “The byproduct is a healthier, more capable first responder.”
The impact of the initiative is palpable. Counselor workloads have quadrupled in response to increased demand, signaling a growing acceptance and utilization of mental health services among first responders. And the deployment of mobile fitness trailers has not only facilitated physical training on-the-go, but also served as a platform for mental health awareness and support.
