SDIS 22 and SDIS 35 Choose Blueback Technology for Firefighters’ Well-being

For firefighters, returning to work after childbirth is often abrupt. A quick return to emergency calls, persistent fatigue, weakened abdominal muscles, and pelvic floor issues...

Very few concrete solutions are offered to support women firefighters through this pivotal stage of life.

However, some organizations are stepping up and taking action. This is the case with SDIS 22 and SDIS 35, which have chosen to make a difference for the well-being and prevention efforts among their personnel—especially for women firefighters.

Blueback training at SDIS 22 - Saint-Brieuc (22)

Committed Women, Concrete Projects

Gwendolinn Gorin, a professional firefighter at the Paimpol station and also a coach, reached out to Blueback in 2022 with a clear observation:

“I see too many colleagues, especially women, returning to work without proper rehabilitation, support, or awareness of what’s happening in their bodies after pregnancy. We want to support them in returning to duty with confidence and peace of mind.”

She also highlighted a deeper issue: the high frequency of lower back pain among firefighters, regardless of their profile. This condition often sets in due to the physical demands of their job.

Her goal? To initiate a meaningful approach within SDIS 22 to:

• Improve firefighters’ quality of life using practical tools

• Raise awareness of the importance of deep muscle engagement in injury prevention

• Focus on prevention rather than treatment by identifying those at risk of developing chronic conditions early on

In the same spirit, Bérénice Barbe had already launched a similar initiative within SDIS 35 back in 2021, making the Rennes fire station the first in France to be equipped with Blueback Physio.

Inner UP, Non-invasive Pelvic Floor Biofeedback

To support postpartum recovery, SDIS 22 now uses Inner UP, a Deep EMG device developed by Blueback, specifically designed to:

• Objectively assess pelvic floor tone and engagement, while also providing data on abdominal and pelvic muscle activation

• Support a gradual, tailored, and supervised return to physical activity

• Help women regain confidence in their physical abilities during a key stage in their lives

This tool allows supervisors to offer personalized rehabilitation sessions, monitor progress, and prevent common issues such as urinary leaks, pain, feelings of weakness, or overall fatigue.

Blueback Physio, Core Activation Assessment

For general prevention, Blueback Physio is integrated into the monitoring and prevention programs of SDIS 22 and 35, aiming to:

• Identify those at risk of developing conditions such as lower back pain, groin pain, or postural imbalances

• Correct motor patterns and deep muscle disengagement often compensated by overloading other areas

• Initiate a postural, functional, and sustainable approach to physical training within firefighting practices

By combining objective data and real-time visual feedback, Blueback Physio serves as both an educational tool and a preventive lever for health professionals and SDIS trainers.

A Health-Focused Initiative Backed by Medical Teams

This project is supported by medical staff, notably Colonel Doctor Jean-Jacques Perron, Chief Medical Officer of SDIS 22, who is committed to a proactive operational health policy:

“These are concrete approaches, based on listening to the field and addressing the real needs of firefighters.”

At Blueback, we are proud to support initiatives that combine prevention, rehabilitation, and innovation in service of the men and women who keep us safe every day.

These are tangible, impactful, and deeply human projects—And we’re honored to contribute.