The role of the Peer Fitness Trainer (PFT) is to encourage safety and participation in fitness through guidance and supervision of personal exercise. Peer Fitness Trainers are available to all members of the Department.

Peer Fitness Trainers have been trained and educated in a state certified training course. Upon completion and certification, the peer trainers are educated in the following areas:

• Science of exercise
• Development of exercise programs
• Exercise safety
• Proper exercise techniques
• Nutritional and wellness consultation

Peer Fitness Trainers will also be used to:

• Educate company officers
• Educate incumbent and new hires
• Design and test fitness equipment
• Design and support personalized fitness programs for all members

Guidelines

The Tempe Fire Department has 3 Peer Fitness Trainers available to all members. Members are:

1. Daniel Hernandez
2. Todd Lunn 
3. Mike Makay 

Each PFT is assigned a group of department members for consultation, exercise program design, follow up, and wellness information (see table).

Any member that wishes not to use the PFT assigned to their group may choose from any department PFT to provide the service.

Staff members do not have a designated PFT assigned to their group, and may utilize any PFT to provide their services.

Firefighter Recruits upon completion of the Phoenix Fire Academy will be assigned a Peer Fitness Trainer for the duration of their probation. When a firefighter recruit receives his/her Phase I station/shift assignment, the PFT from that group will be assigned to the probationary firefighter for the probation period. After completion of probation, the member may utilize the identified PFT for his/her assigned group.

Scheduling

All PFT exercise program design and/or follow-ups will be administered on Mondays, Fridays or weekends. Activity permitting, other times may be used with approval of the Duty Chief and the affected Company Officers.

Members are encouraged to participate and consult with the PFT’s on a regular basis.