Safety Stand Down 2026 goes all-in on fitness

Fitness is so much more than hitting the gym from time to time in order to pass an annual exam. It’s about whether you can get the job done today AND 20 years from now, not to mention whether you’ll actually be able to enjoy your retirement. Chief Darin Wallentine, chair of the Firefighter Safety Stand Down, breaks down this year’s fitness theme and why the campaign expanded from five days to seven. Each letter in FITNESS tackles a different piece of firefighter wellness. Wallentine also digs into the culture piece — why company officers set the tone, why firefighters have to stop ignoring warning signs and why departments need to treat fitness as a career survival tool, not a side hobby. If your crew needs a reset or your department is trying to build a healthier culture, there are plenty of practical takeaways here. After all, “you gotta start sometime — why not now?” Enjoying the show? Email bettereveryshift@firerescue1.com to share feedback.