National First Responders Day is October 28. Learn how Hoag is building on a proven wellness program to envision a new model of comprehensive care for the people who protect our communities.
When an emergency call comes in, first responders move toward the crisis. But the physical demands, cumulative stress, and repeated exposure to trauma that come with the job can take a lasting toll on their health. Too often, those challenges go unrecognized until they become more serious. Hoag is working to change that through its First Responder Wellness Program, which provides proactive, comprehensive health screenings to help identify potential health concerns before they become more serious.
For former OC Fire Chief Brian Fennessy, a routine wellness examination made a critical difference. During an annual examination, a blood test revealed an elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level. Further evaluation identified a small, slow-growing prostate tumor. Because the concern was detected early, Chief Fennessy received a favorable prognosis and is healthy today.
His experience illustrates the value of proactive care, particularly for people whose demanding work can make their own health easy to put second.
Since launching its First Responder Wellness Program in 2018, Hoag has worked with fire departments to make comprehensive preventive care more accessible to the professionals who serve on the front lines. Today, twelve departments participate, with more than 6,700 first responders having access to the program. In 2025, Hoag conducted nearly 2,000 wellness examinations, with demand expected to exceed 5,000 annually within five years.
The program goes beyond a traditional physical. Depending on the examination, services can include comprehensive laboratory testing, cardiac and pulmonary assessments, imaging, fitness and nutrition evaluations, and department-specific cancer screenings. By tracking more than 50 de-identified clinical and fitness measures over time, clinicians can identify potential concerns, monitor health trends, and recommend follow-up care.
Expanding the vision for first responder wellness
As the program grows, Hoag is developing a First Responder Wellness Center in Irvine that will build on this foundation, bringing coordinated, specialized care to more first responders and expanding the resources available to support their long-term health.
The vision is to create a comprehensive approach that addresses physical health, early disease detection, behavioral health, and the unique occupational risks first responders face. With greater capacity and an expanded range of services, the center aims to reach more individuals, strengthen preventive care, and help first responders remain healthy throughout their careers and beyond.
Realizing this vision will require philanthropic partnership. Community support can help advance the programs, resources, and services needed to meet the evolving health needs of first responders and their families.
This October, as the nation recognizes National First Responders Day, Hoag honors the people who show up for others in their moments of greatest need. Investing in their health is one way to ensure they receive the same commitment and care they so consistently provide to the community.
Help advance the future of first responder wellness. To learn more about the planned First Responder Wellness Center or explore opportunities to support its development, contact the Hoag Hospital Foundation at hoaghospitalfoundation.org.
