Firefighter- and fire department-level barriers and promoters of physical activity and fitness among volunteer firefighters: a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews

Objective To describe volunteer firefighters’ perspectives on how firefighter- and fire department-level factors influence their physical activity and fitness. Methods Firefighters (n = 28) were interviewed, stratified by their years of firefighting, using an interview guide. Thematic analysis and systematic coding were employed to analyze the interview transcripts. Results Five themes were identified: (1) health and firefighting performance; (2) firefighter time and availability; (3) responsibility of the fire department to support volunteer members’ physical fitness; (4) fire training drills as a form of functional physical activity, and (5) fitness initiatives at the department. Interviewing by years of experience showed varied perspectives which converged towards similar conclusions. Conclusions Incorporating fitness discussions into department meetings and trainings, and identifying fitness advocates within the department, may contribute to overcoming barriers to physical fitness among volunteer firefighters.