Case Study : Orange County Fire Authority

The Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) takes the safety of Orange County residents and business into its hands each and every day.  As a means of increasing its Department-wide fitness standard and ultimately, the fitness levels of each of its fire-fighters, it enacted a new program called We Fit. The program emphasized contemporary functional training methods that would bring tangible benefits to the life-and-death situations these fire-fighters face each day. AFP stepped up to upgrade a variety of the OCFA’s station houses with new equipment and accessories necessary to make the We Fit program a success.

Project Summary

The Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) is a regional fire service agency, serving 22 cities in Orange County and all unincorporated areas. The OCFA protects over 1,300,000 residents from its 61 fire stations located throughout Orange County.

In an effort to improve the overall fitness levels of its entire force, the Orange County Fire Department implemented a dynamic fitness program and upgraded standard entitled WE FIT. The WE FIT program emphasized a change away from long-standing and conventional resistance training methods. The new program focused heavily on contemporary functional training measures, designed to enhance physical capability specific to the intense on-the-job demands that fire-fighters must meet within the life-and-death situations they face on the job each and every day.

To make this transition effectively, an extensive upgrade of training equipment was required in a variety of the OC Fire Department’s fire houses.  OC Fire turned to AFP to outfit these facilities with state-of-the-art functional training equipment necessary to meet the demands of this dynamic new Department-wide fitness program.

Results

To overcome spacing challenges presented by the limited fitness center space within fire houses, AFP and OCFA worked together to select a mix of equipment and accessories that would provide the maximum level of versatility for the widest array of functional training and exercise options. The selection couldn’t be pervaded by too many larger pieces of equipment due to limited space. Therefore smaller, more-versatile functional training accessories were emphasized.

To this point, AFP supplied an equipment mix, including free weights and rowing machines, but also heavily emphasizing the use of Med balls, Bosu balls, Swiss balls which feature the widest variety of core- and functional-training options and benefits, while minimizing the need for space. AFP also upgraded several of the station houses with rubber flooring, designed for a safer and more hygienic training environment.

Key Stats

• Emphasis On Functional Training
• Paramount Functional Trainers
• TKO Dumbbells and Racks
• Med Balls
• Bosu Balls and Resistance Bands
• Concept II Rowing Machines

AFP was an outstanding company to work with throughout the project. Every area from sales and delivery, to installation and service met or exceeded our expectations.

AFP was vital in the layout and design of our fitness facility. They have provided reliable service and maintenance on our equipment. Over the years, the Desert Springs Marriott Spa has been fortunate to have a very positive relationship with AFP. They have continued to provide quality of service and professionalism, which is key in a competitive market.

AFP has been a tremendous partner in the department’s focus on wellness. They have supplied over fifty of our stations with premium equipment meeting the stringing quality and functional requirements of our training programs. AFP is truly a class organization and a valued asset to our department.