VITALExam

06/16/2026

Health Tip Tuesday

Firefighters work hard to protect their communities. Taking a few moments to protect your own health matters too.

Sun exposure can occur during routine duties, training exercises, emergency responses, and community events. Small preventative habits today can make a difference for years to come.

Stay healthy. Stay ready.

06/11/2026

𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝟖𝟓𝟎 𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐄𝐌𝐀𝐍 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐃𝐀𝐘
𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐈𝐍𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐂𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐒, 𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐒, 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐒𝐔𝐁𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒

🔥 Attention 850 firefighters, company officers, instructors, and fire training geeks! 🔥

Do you have a class you've always wanted to teach? A skill you've developed? A topic you're passionate about sharing outside your own organization?

We're officially beginning planning for the 2026 850 FIREMAN Training Day and we're looking to pass the torch to firefighters from across the 850 to help make it happen.

This event has always been about firefighters teaching firefighters. No egos. No profit. Just good training and good people giving back to the regional fire service. This is your opportunity to step up and teach.

❚█══We are seeking classes for:══█❚

𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠:
Hose stretches
Extended stretches
Elevated stretches
Dry and wet stretches
Hose movement
Nozzle application and stream work
Body positioning and mechanics
Backup firefighter responsibilities
Emergency hose line exits under duress
Hydraulic ventilation
And other engine company topics

𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐤 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠:
Ground ladders
Traditional and passive forcible entry
Search operations
Ventilation
Victim movement and removal
And other truck company skills

𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐲 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐒𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬:
Leadership development
Command and size-up simulations
Extrication
RIT operations
Firefighter survival
Tactical decision making
Specialty rescue topics
Other unique training concepts

𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐦 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬:
We're also looking for firefighters willing to present classroom sessions on any fire service topic that can help improve our profession. We will have a total of 6 speaker slots available in 1 hour sessions, traditionally this is tactical and leadership related materials but can be anything you have a passion to share. We are even considering a 5/10/20 style of presentations; with many speakers sharing from a limited slide deck with limited time to hit subjects hard and fast!

𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐟 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤:
This year we plan to offer a dedicated command officer session that includes both classroom and hands-on components.

𝐒𝐮𝐛𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬:
A few ground rules:

✅ This event is 100% volunteer-based. Nobody gets paid. This is about giving back to the firefighters of the 850.

✅ Instructors should be prepared to provide the majority of the logistics and equipment required for their training program. We may be able to assist with some props and resources when possible.

✅ No live fire training evolutions will be conducted.

✅ All submissions must include:
Course title
Course description
Learning objectives
Basic timeline/agenda
Equipment needs

✅ Training blocks will generally run:
»»ᅳ3 hours in the morning
1 hour lunch
3 hours in the afternoonᅳ►

Courses should ideally fit within a 3-hour block, or instructors can volunteer as adjuncts to assist with larger training programs.

𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐆𝐨𝐚𝐥:
The goal has always been simple:
By the 850. For the 850.
We believe some of the best instructors, ideas, and training programs in the country are sitting in fire stations right here in Northwest Florida. This is your opportunity to share what you've learned, help develop others, and contribute to a day focused entirely on improving our regional fire service.

𝐒𝐮𝐛𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞
📅 September 1, 2026
Tentative Training Day is the First Week of November 2026

We look forward to seeing what you bring to the table and continuing to build a training event that showcases the talent, knowledge, and passion that exists throughout the 850.

𝑮𝒐𝒕 𝒂 𝒄𝒍𝒂𝒔𝒔? 𝑺𝒖𝒃𝒎𝒊𝒕 𝒊𝒕.
𝑮𝒐𝒕 𝒂𝒏 𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒂? 𝑷𝒊𝒕𝒄𝒉 𝒊𝒕.
𝑾𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒑 𝒕𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒉?
𝑾𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒚𝒐𝒖.

𝐄𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐥 𝐮𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝟖𝟓𝟎𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐧@𝐠𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐥.𝐜𝐨𝐦 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞 𝟖𝟓𝟎 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞!

06/11/2026

“Departments that want to reduce LODDs need to treat annual physicals, fitness, rehab, sleep, nutrition and behavioral health as core operational priorities. That means:
- Encouraging firefighters to know their blood pressure, cholesterol and cardiac risk factors
- Making annual medical evaluations mandatory and meaningful, not just a paperwork exercise…”

Firefighter safety must go beyond the fireground, with cardiac health, roadway risks, fitness and wellness taking center stage in efforts to prevent LODDs

06/10/2026

More than 50,000 firefighters across the country have signed up for the National Firefighter Registry for Cancer. As of this morning, only 582 of those firefighters are from Alabama. Go sign up and help support cancer research in the fire service! https://nfr.cdc.gov/

Firefighter Cancer Support Network, Alabama
Alabama Fire College
Alabama Association of Fire Chiefs
Central Alabama Fire Chiefs Association
Southwest Alabama Association of Fire Chiefs
Baldwin County Fire Chiefs' Association

50,000 firefighters have answered the call! This is a major milestone for the NIOSH National Firefighter Registry (NFR) for Cancer. Every single firefighter who enrolls provides important data to help us understand and fight back against cancer in the fire service. Thank you to everyone who has joined! Not in the registry yet? Add your voice today: https://nfr.cdc.gov/

06/09/2026

💪 Health Tip Tuesday

Firefighters ask a lot from their bodies—during training, on calls, and throughout long shifts.

What you eat plays a major role in how well you recover, perform, and prepare for the next challenge. Prioritizing protein and balanced nutrition can help support strength, endurance, and long-term wellness.

Taking care of your health isn't just about being ready today—it's about staying healthy for the years ahead.

06/05/2026

🔥 Fire apparatus are built to handle pressure—but firefighters carry pressure too.

Long shifts, stress, heat, and recovery all impact long-term health and performance.

Prioritizing your health today helps ensure you’re ready for tomorrow’s call.

06/02/2026

⚡ Health Tip Tuesday

Busy schedules and overnight calls can make it easy to rely on quick energy throughout the day.

But long-term wellness starts with balance—fueling your body properly, staying hydrated, and making recovery a priority whenever possible.

Take care of yourself like you take care of your crew.

05/29/2026

🚒 Staying ready starts long before the call comes in.

At VITALExam, our mission is helping first responders stay proactive about their health—because protecting those who serve starts with prevention, monitoring, and early detection.

Healthy firefighters build stronger departments.

05/26/2026

🩺 Health Tip Tuesday

The liver helps process toxins your body is exposed to—including smoke and chemical byproducts firefighters encounter on the job.

Routine lab work can help monitor liver function and identify issues early.

Protecting your health means paying attention to what’s happening behind the scenes.

05/25/2026

Today, we remember that freedom isn’t free. 🇺🇸

Remember the sacrifice. Honor the service. Support those still carrying the mission forward.

This Memorial Day, we’re thinking of the families, service members, and heroes who gave all — and the first responders who continue protecting our communities day after day.

We’re grateful to the team at Daphne Fire Department and for the work they do and for helping keep the spirit of service and sacrifice alive.