Abstract

A volunteer firefighter is defined as a person who protects their community, lives, and property without being compensated. Fighting fires is a strenuous physical task that entails a person to have strong cardio stamina and endurance. Recent qualitative research indicates that obesity, lack of exercise, and poor lifestyle habits are the main contributors to cardiac disease in the fire service. This ethnographical study looks at how volunteer firefighters perceive their own self-wellness and the challenges of maintaining healthy lifestyle changes. Participant observation and interviews will be conducted at two volunteer firehouses. The sample size will include eight firefighters; four females and four males. Participants must be over 21 years old and have been in the fire service for at least two years. Data will be collected utilizing in-person interviews with participants one on one, and observations during various mealtimes at the stations. The researcher, a research assistant, six coders, and two transcribers will analyze data continuously throughout the study. Informed consent forms will be available with those participating along with an information session about the study. The goal is to establish collaboration in educating firefighters about health promotion and health prevention with the utilization of nurses.

Keywords: Self-wellness, Lifestyle, Firefighters, Health, Nursing