Spokane County (WA) Fire District 9 to Launch Human Performance Program

Partners with O2X Human Performance to optimize health and wellness

Spokane, WA – Beginning in October of 2025, Spokane County Fire District 9 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 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. 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.

“I’m a firm believer that when you take care of your team, they will take care of your community” said Spokane County Fire District 9 Chief Matt Vinci

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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. Spokane County Fire District 9 has taken an important step in mitigating these occupational hazards by partnering with O2X. Through this partnership, they will launch the O2X Integrated Readiness Platform (IRP) to lead the implementation and drive the impact of the O2X curriculum. 

Leading the IRP will be an O2X On-Site Specialist (OSS) specializing in Strength & Conditioning. 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 serve firefighters in state Washington,” said Paul McCullough, Co-founder & Managing Partner at O2X Human Performance. “It’s important that the people on the front lines 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 departments, can play a key role in keeping these first responders prepared to meet the demands of the job.”