[DSRP Evidence](https://dsrpevidence.org/)

# Leading From the Front: Leadership Fitness Is Associated with Fire Station Crew Fitness

## Details

**Authors** Martin et al.

**Year** 2026

**Publisher** Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

**Discipline** Public Health

**Secondary disciplines** Medicine

[Read it at the publisher](https://doi.org/10.1097/JOM.0000000000003830) 
10.1097/JOM.0000000000003830

## In authors' words

### Abstract

Objective: To examine whether leadership fitness is associated with firefighter fitness within station crews. Methods: Annual fitness testing data from firefighters in a large urban fire department were analyzed. Leadership fitness was defined as the mean composite fitness score of captains and lieutenants assigned to each station–shift crew. Multilevel linear modeling evaluated whether mean crew leadership fitness and leadership composition were associated with firefighter fitness, adjusting for years of service and sex. Results: The sample included 838 firefighters nested within 99 station–shift crews. Mean leadership fitness was positively associated with crew firefighter fitness in units staffed with both a captain and lieutenant ( β =0.116, 95%CI:0.005–0.228; p =0.045), but this association was attenuated in captain-only crews. Conclusions: Leadership fitness was associated with firefighter fitness, particularly when fire station crews have a more complete leadership structure.

### What they found (results)

Across 838 firefighters in 99 station-shift crews, mean leadership fitness was positively associated with crew fitness only in units staffed with both a captain and a lieutenant; the association weakened in captain-only crews.

## Commentary

### In short

A relationship (leader fitness predicts crew fitness) is only load-bearing when a systems condition holds: the leadership sub-structure must be complete (captain and lieutenant both present), not partially staffed.

**Patterns it shows** S, R

**Added** 2026-08-12

**How to cite this** Martin et al. (2026). Leading From the Front: Leadership Fitness Is Associated with Fire Station Crew Fitness. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.