Chad Rabatin, a lieutenant with Prince William County (VA) Fire, joins Megan Lautz for this episode of Fueling Fire. Rabatin breaks down what it actually takes to build a firefighter wellness program when you have almost no budget, limited admin support, and a full-time job as a firefighter. He compares using internal personnel versus civilian hires, weighs certifications for tactical fitness and describes partnering with universities to access testing, data and resources. The guest also covers remediation paths for mandatory fitness screens, integrating athletic trainers, and prioritizing injury prevention and recovery. This is straight talk from someone doing the work from the inside.
