Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services to Embed Human Performance Specialist

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services to Embed Human Performance Specialist

Partners with O2X Human Performance to optimize health and wellness

Howard County, MD – Beginning in April of 2023, Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services (HCDFRS) will launch a new comprehensive wellness program to address career longevity and occupational performance. Along with frequent mental and physical performance-focused training, the program includes a full-time Human Performance Specialist, embedded at the department, to help firefighters 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.

“A comprehensive wellness program is important to the overall health of our firefighters. Partnering with an experienced and proven company like O2X Human Performance, who has provided similar programs for other public safety agencies, will be valuable in the development and implementation of our new program,” said Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services Fire Chief Louis Winston.

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. HCDFRS has taken an important step in mitigating these occupational hazards by partnering with O2X. Through this partnership, HCDFRS will launch the O2X Integrated Specialist Program (ISP) to lead the implementation and drive the impact of the O2X curriculum.

Leading the ISP will be an O2X On-Site Specialist (OSS). OSS 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.

“We’re excited to bring the O2X curriculum to Howard County (MD),” said Paul McCullough, Co-founder at O2X Human Performance. “It’s important that the people on the front line of the Howard County community keep physical and mental wellness as a part of their daily lives. Our hope is that O2X, in conjunction with HCDFRS, can play a role in keeping these 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.

PRESS / MEDIA CONTACTS:

Jason Salata | 808.218.0838 | press@o2x.com

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