FRNSW teams up with more sporting clubs to boost firefighters’ resilience – VIDEO - NSW
Published: 21 Dec 2022 09:08am
Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) is bolstering its forward pack, adding two more elite sporting clubs to a partnership program supporting firefighters’ health and wellbeing.
The Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks and the Western Sydney Wanderers have now signed onto the Tactical Athlete Resilience Program (TARP), a unique initiative which officially launched in August following a successful trial.
TARP gives FRNSW firefighters access to the first class strength and conditioning coaches, physiotherapists and facilities used by some of Australia’s top sportsmen and women.
It includes a preventative readiness component, which keeps firefighters at the top of their game, as well as rehabilitation services for firefighters injured on the job.
The Sharks and Wanderers join the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, South Sydney Rabbitohs, St George Illawarra Dragons and NSW Swifts in supporting the program.
Their addition expands TARP’s footprint across Sydney’s southern and western suburbs, improving access for local brigades and personnel wishing to benefit from the partnerships.
FRNSW Commissioner Paul Baxter said the Sharks and Wanderers would create new training, treatment and rehabilitation options for those on the firefighting frontline.
“It is important we continually boost the resilience of our workforce by finding ways to decrease the incidence and impacts of illness and injury,” said Commissioner Baxter.
“TARP has already proven to be a game-changer in this respect, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to supporting our firefighters in innovative ways.”
As part of their club’s introduction to the program, Sharks young-guns Blayke Brailey and Blake Hosking recently joined their Elite Pathways Physical Performance Manager Daniel Miladinski in a ‘Firefighter for a Day’ experience at FRNSW’s Emergency Services Agency in Orchard Hills.
The NSW Swifts also participated in the immersion activity, which is aimed at deepening the sporting clubs’ understanding of the unique occupational demands and hazards firefighting presents and therefore allow them to tailor their support.
TARP has the backing of workplace injury insurer EML.
FRNSW is exploring ways to expand TARP across more sporting codes and locations.
EDITORS NOTE:
Images of the Cronulla Sharks & NSW Swifts participating in the ‘Firefighter for a Day’ immersion experience is available via the following web links:
PHOTOS - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1X5lr9upNzoUrFGtHCXH_R6nBhRkNueR6 [external link]
VIDEO – https://vimeo.com/782360975/6e07e687f2 [external link]
Updated: 27 Jan 2023 05:14pm
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