The Emergency Medical Services are a unique cadre of urban medical personnel who operate in a variety of environments and uncertain situations. Often on the scene of tragedy and danger, EMS personnel work under the constant pressure of knowing that seconds count. Saving lives under these extraordinary conditions requires a level of fitness not usually needed in the controlled hospital environment. EMS personnel are routinely injured performing their occupational requirements. They suffer an inordinate number of strains, sprains and pulls and like most of the other public safety services, they are plagued with hypertension and heart problems.

"Wellness" programs are not enough to address the fitness needs of professionals who depend on their body mechanics and mental acuity for rescue operations. Protectors has studied the job tasks that EMS perform and has designed the Protectors EMS fitness training program to ready personnel entering the field, and to sustain them throughout their careers. Regardless of age or relative condition our program develops participants by establishing performance criteria to the profession rather than "norming" over a general population. Participants are taught to train with specificity, focusing on the muscles, joints, tendons and ligaments that are compromised on the job. Our aerobic component builds the heart and reduces hypertension in the high-stress world of EMS.