I would like to throw my two cents into the ring [concerning “Fits Over Fitness”]. For more than 200 years, firefighters have competed at musters at local fairgrounds, after parades, and at many other “get-togethers.” Some of these events even resembled fire department activities–ladder raises, hose evolutions, apparatus positioning, pumping skills, and even competitions involving rescue operations. Did the IAFF and the IAFC sponsor any of these events, or did they conduct a demonstration to prevent or stop them? Why not? Maybe it`s because there was one element at all of these events that has been noticeably omitted at the Combat Challenge–alcohol. There may have been a few people who had a beer or something else to drink, but the overall atmosphere was one of health and fitness. We are not against the union for trying to look after the betterment of the fire service and its members, but is the union trying to put its own membership as well as the public`s safety in jeopardy by decrying the benefits of physical fitness? Wake up and smell the coffee. More than 50 percent of the deaths incurred by firefighters are from heart disease. How many of these deaths occurred during the Combat Challenge? Our department has taken part in the Combat Challenge twice in Orland Park, Illinois, PROUDLY. We didn`t compete to win; we did it as a challenge to ourselves. If the IAFF feels so strongly about not requiring firefighters to maintain a level of fitness that allows them to accomplish their functions with reduced risk, then we would like to submit the following program, which is already being used by thousands in the fire service:
For overall endurance … sit in a recliner for as long as possible without going to the bathroom or getting something to eat. Next, sit at the local pub and down as many drinks as possible. And, of course, let`s not forget, when it comes to actual hands-on training, make sure you`re sick that day.
This is reality. How many of the union members would stand still if, while visiting out of town, a member of their family is lost because the members of the local fire department couldn`t perform their jobs? What a thought!
I also noticed in the same issue an advertisement for the Firefighters Rodeo. Don`t they know they could get hurt doing that sort of thing? Some of us ride horses and do other physical activities as well. Is the IAFF going to show up in Laughlin, Nevada, to make sure that rodeoing isn`t becoming a part of the fire service? Maybe they need to look back into the history of the fire service. Our predecessors did use horses to get themselves and their equipment to the scenes. Cowboy Up! Please define “RESCUE” and whose job it is anyway.
Frank Fasko, Assistant Chief
Tom Montgomery, Crew Chief
Steve Frey, Driver/Operator
Miles Stepp, Driver/Operator
Rick Jones, Driver/Operator
Savanna (IL) Army Depot
