FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Berkeley Fire & Police to Begin Human Performance Training within Department(s)
Partners with O2X Human Performance to optimize health and wellness
Berkeley, CA – This past summer, The City of Berkeley Fire & Police Departments launched a new comprehensive wellness program for their personnel to address career longevity and overall productivity. Next week, Dec 3rd thru Dec 8th will begin the first in-person training to set the curriculum into motion. Along with frequent mental and physical performance-focused training, the program includes two full-time dedicated Human Performance Specialists, embedded in the public safety departments, to help firefighters and law enforcement officers train properly and stay healthy.
The program is being provided by O2X Human Performance, a Massachusetts based training and education company founded by former Navy SEALs. O2X works with thousands of first responders and has designed programs for federal, state, and local agencies nationwide. They provide state-of-the-art training and education aimed specifically at helping tactical athletes finish their careers as strong as they started.
Interim Fire Chief David Sprague helped to implement the program and said. “As we learn more about the acute and cumulative impacts the work has on our employees’ health and performance we are keenly interested in making strategic investments that provide the education, support and coaching our employees need to perform at their best.” He continued “We know that if our employees’ minds and bodies are healthy, they have the platform to do their best work in the streets.”
As tactical athletes, first responders risk their lives daily to keep their communities safe. They endure physical and mental stress throughout their careers that can have acute and cumulative impacts to health. Berkeley Public Safety has taken an important step in mitigating these occupational hazards by partnering with O2X. O2X On-Site Specialists utilize their education and personal experience as well as the greater resources of the entire O2X Human Performance network to design and implement training programs that prepare tactical athletes for the rigors of their professions. These experts incorporate elements of conditioning, injury prevention, nutrition, fatigue management and sleep science, stress mitigation, sports psychology, and resilience into agency personnel.
“The prolonged exposure to stress police employees experience can have detrimental long term health effects” said Lieutenant Jen Tate with Berkeley Police Department. “The Berkeley Police Department is eager to address the negative impact of the stressors with the support and guidance of O2X On-Site Specialists. We are optimistic that by offering the O2X holistic, entire body wellness program to our police employees, they will be provided the tools necessary to achieve the strength and resiliency necessary to see the finish line of a long rewarding career.”
“We’re excited to bring the O2X curriculum to Berkeley Public Safety” said Paul McCullough, Co-founder at O2X Human Performance. “It’s important that the people on the front line of the Berkeley community keep physical and mental wellness as a part of their daily lives. Our hope is that the O2X On-Site Team, in conjunction with the department(s), can play a role in keeping Berkeley first responders prepared to meet the demands of the job.”
About O2X Human Performance
O2X Human Performance provides comprehensive, science-backed programs to hundreds of public safety departments, federal agencies, and the military. O2X works with clients to elevate culture, improve mental and physical wellbeing, support healthy lifestyles, and reduce healthcare costs associated with injuries and illnesses. Driven by results and cutting edge research, O2X programs are designed and delivered by a team of Special Operations veterans, high level athletes, and hundreds of leading experts in their respective fields of human performance.
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