Solutions for firefighters and professionals who want to work with firefighters by a firefighter.
As a veteran firefighter, strength and conditioning specialist, biochemist, and coach, I help firefighters improve their sleep, nutrition, mental health, and movement and I help talented health and wellness professionals navigate the start-to-finish process of securing employment or contracts with fire agencies.
When firefighters feel their best, they, their families, their department, and their communities all win.
“Surviving” isn’t thriving.
We can only serve our communities fully when we show up feeling our best. Firefighters need to optimize everything from sleep and nutrition to stress management and physical readiness.
My mission is to provide fire departments with resources, tactics, and strategies to ensure their employees thrive 24/7/365.
How to Work With Fire Rescue Wellness
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FRW Course: Build Your Career in Fire
This is a 6-Week Health and Wellness Career Accelerator for health and wellness professionals.
Fire departments need experienced health and wellness professionals and this course guides you on an often uncertain, indistinct journey that can be lengthy, even under ideal conditions. I've made all the missteps, so you don't have to.
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Live and Recorded Educational Webinars
Providing you with the information your department needs to start making changes in your lives and careers. Topics range from habit formation and goal setting to nutrition and fitness. I will provide you with clear, actionable strategies so you can begin creating change in your life immediately.
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Speaking Engagements
Are you looking for an experienced and engaging speaker to deliver cutting-edge health and wellness information to your team? Look no further. I offer a range of topics, including sleep, discipline, accountability, habit formation, movement for life, performance enhancement, nutrition, and more. My interactive and educational presentations empower and equip your team with actionable knowledge. Choose from existing presentations or request a custom topic to fit your needs.
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Department Solutions
I specialize in department health and wellness consultations and wellness program implementation. Get customized health and wellness solutions, tools, and resources to enhance the overall well-being of your team and outsource the management of your department’s entire health and wellness program ensuring everything from fitness testing, strength and conditioning, and wellness education.
What makes Fire Rescue Wellness Different
I am a firefighter who built Fire Rescue Wellness to serve Fire Departments and the coaches who want to work with them. I see you, I hear you, I AM you, and I am on the front lines with you. With 19 years in the fire service, I understand the job demands and the importance of ensuring you and your crew are ready to tackle whatever comes your way on every call. Our work is physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausting, and my mission is to ensure you are ready to face these challenges head-on. Backed by science and 30 years in human performance, I provide the fire service with tactical and tangible resources to ensure the health and well-being of every member of our profession. Together, let’s thrive.
What clients have to say about Fire Rescue Wellness
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“Ever attended an event only to tell yourself you should have had a V8 (maybe instead of a monster)? Annette Zapp will make you question that choice. Fire Rescue Wellness is your answer to starting a fitness program in your department. The learning that takes place sets the stage for every firefighter in any stage to become engaged. No matter what your knowledge is about health and wellness, this class will make you think about how we survive the fire service in great health, just as we entered it. Annette breaks it down to the simplest level and gets buy-in from the crews as she has served a career as a firefighter herself. From planning the classes to her prompt responses and follow up, she has mastered customer service and backs it up with her vast knowledge and ability to provide scientific data. I have had the pleasure of hosting her for all three of our shifts and we are currently moving forward with her recommendations. Protect your number one asset (your personnel) by giving them the tools they need to be successful both in and out of the station. Let’s all get to that retirement we worked so hard for and deserve."
Christopher J. Stoecklein
Fire Chief, Canton Public Safety -
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“I have had the opportunity and pleasure to work with Annette and she is beyond excellent. Her background, in-depth knowledge and research is second to none. She has provided our 15,000+ members with insights into the various aspects of mental and physical health that have made them better at work and at home. She has presented at our conferences and received rave reviews for her ability to convey sometimes difficult subject matter with thoughtfulness and care. She has also participated in one of our podcast recordings and was phenomenal. Her communication skills, ability to relate to others with ease and her pleasant, professional demeanor are all top notch!”
Chuck Sullivan, President
Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois -
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"I can’t stress enough how highly I recommend working with Annette from Fire Rescue Wellness. Having her speak about sleep in public safety for our Public Safety Athletic Trainers’ Society Annual Meeting was the highlight of our calendar year- she spoke to the level of our consumer and delivered evidence-based and critical information with key take home messages. As a clinician in a Fire Department myself, I offered her talk as an EMS hour as well; the entire shift attended voluntarily and actually listened. Her points resonated with so many members that they made stickers for their water bottles, a true firehouse honor!
Annette is a thorough professional and can add value to your organization, please feel free to reach out to us with additional questions about our experience at www.psatsociety.com.”
Dr. Maura Shea, DAT, LAT ATC
President, Public Safety Athletic Trainers’ Society
Lead Athletic Trainer- First Line Tactical Athlete Program -
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“AZ’s professional experience in the fire service gives her a unique skill set to relate to firefighters and paramedics. She meets everyone where they are at mentally and physically allowing her to set realistic goals. Any department that is able to work with AZ will benefit from the experience and knowledge she enthusiastically provides.”
Andy Scott, Lieutenant
Plainfield, IL FD
