By Andrew Bolgiano
We firefighters chose a career in one of the most physically and emotionally demanding professions. In choosing this career, we understood the life risk from the dangerous situations we face day in and day out. What we didn‘t realize or what we fail to recognize is that we have a better chance of dying from a heart attack than in a dangerous fire. The leading cause of all line-of-duty deaths is heart attacks, accounting for nearly 44 percent of fatalities in 2002. Of the estimated 82,000 firefighter injuries in 2001, nearly 47 percent were sprains, strains, or muscular pains. Nearly 34 percent of all fireground injuries were caused by overexertion and strain. So why is it that only one in five departments nationwide has a physical wellness program for its employees? The physical stress we put our bodies through every day requires us to be in excellent physical shape. Fire departments need to take a closer look at the physical wellness of their employees.
How do you get firefighters who live a rather sedentary lifestyle while on the job to be motivated and encouraged to get in better physical shape? We need to provide them with information on the health risks. An article in The Journal of the American Dietetic Association (July 2001, 101:7) indicates that many overweight or obese firefighters may not even realize the potential dangers they face daily. Physical conditioning is crucial in public safety jobs because physical and emotional stress are unavoidable.
When considering implementing such a program, various criteria should be considered, to help ensure the program’s success and effectiveness. Among the factors to be considered are the following:
- The firefighters must be motivated. Since firefighters are competitive individuals by nature, a program that includes competition among departments seems to be a good approach.
- Firefighters must be given time to work out while on the job. Some time each day should be set aside strictly for physical activity. Sometimes our job prevents us from following a schedule because we have to answer calls; therefore, the plan should be flexible.
- We need to provide department members with the appropriate equipment.
OUR PLAN
Chief Richard J. Peterson initiated the Nimishillen Township (OH) Fire Department physical fitness program to enhance the overall physical well-being of our members. Although on-duty personnel were already required to work out one hour each morning, the workout program lacked seriousness and commitment.
Peterson talked with his firefighters and a local hospital‘s sports medicine department to explore a way for his personnel to have fun while getting in better shape. He wanted to take a proactive approach to physical fitness because he realized that “firefighters who are in great shape have fewer injuries, miss fewer days from work, and can perform their duties better than those who are out of shape.“
The logistics that had to be considered (worked around) when developing the program included the following: 1,500 runs annually within a 36-square-mile area, two stations staffed 24 hours a day, 18 firefighter/paramedics who work 24-hour shifts, and 22 employees who run on a paid-per-call basis.
Peterson chose to use his members‘ competitive spirit as motivation for the proposed program and came up with the Firefighters Fitness Challenge. The chief and two governing officials also wanted to participate.
 (1) The hose drag portion of the combat challenge. (Photos by author unless otherwise noted.) |
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1582, Standard on Comprehensive Occupational Medical Program for Fire Departments, 2003 edition, specifies the health and fitness levels required to perform active fire service duty. The levels are defined as Category A and Category B. Individuals who qualify for Category A can be outfitted with personal protective equipment and an SCBA to perform interior structural firefighting activities. Those rated B can assist at the incident with exterior duties. Peterson wanted all his employees to be able to fight interior fires without putting their health in jeopardy.
THE PROGRAM
The Firefighters Fitness Challenge started off with all members participating in the firefighters combat challenge. The objective of the initial combat challenge is to get a base time on which members could improve. All members completed the challenge in full turnout gear, including bunkers and boots, SCBA, gloves, and a helmet. There was no time limit; members were to achieve a personal time that they would try to improve. The combat challenge took place at Stark State College’s Fire Science Center.
 (2) The vertical jump test. |
The next step was to have each employee undergo a physical assessment, which was done in-house by Mercy Medical Center‘s Sports Medicine Department. Mercy Medical Center, in nearby Canton, was enthusiastic about being part of this program. The physical assessment included height and weight measurements, skin fold tests to measure body fat, the number of push-ups and sit-ups that could be done in one minute, a vertical jump, a three-minute step test with pre- and post-test pulse rates, flexibility tests, a grip strength test, and an agility test.
 (3, 4) The weight room at Station 1. (Photo 3 by Richard J. Peterson.) |
Mercy‘s Sports Medicine Department used this information and the combat challenge times to compile each person‘s profile. Teams of three were created based on the information. Each team included a member with a lot of room for improvement, one with moderate room for improvement, and one with little room for improvement.
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The initial program ran for 10 weeks, after which all participants engaged in the combat challenge again. Mercy‘s Sports Medicine Department reassessed the members, compiled the information and statistics, showed each participant his achievements, and determined which team had the greatest improvements. Awards were given for the most improved team and the most improved individual. Mercy‘s facility was open to employees who had questions. Members asked such things as how to improve specific parts of the combat challenge or their workout and questions related to their diet. A dietician came into the department to teach members how to eat and cook more healthful food at the fire station. Most members were excited about the challenge and were really motivated to win.
At the end of the 10-week period, everyone in the department showed improvement in every category. There was an average drop of almost five minutes in combat challenge time. The most improved person took off nearly 12 minutes. An average of five pounds was lost per person; the greatest weight loss was 24 pounds. Each member lost an average of almost 4 percent of body fat. All improved by using their own methods and by keeping their teammates motivated. Gift certificates were given out for the most improved team, the most improved individual, and the greatest weight loss.
IMPLEMENTING A PHYSICAL FITNESS PROGRAM
So now you may be wondering if you can get your department to start a physical fitness program. Take the idea to your members, and ask them what they think. Present some statistics, and advise them of the dangers of doing this physically demanding job and how good health and wellness improve heart health and heart tolerance, prevent Type II diabetes, reduce the risk of strains and sprains, improve the emotional state, maintain weight loss and the metabolic rate, enhance their ability to fight fires, and encourage an overall healthful lifestyle.
Also, keep in mind the reasons some programs are unsuccessful:
- Lack of information about the health risks for firefighters. Obtain as much information as possible that shows your fellow firefighters the dangers of being out of shape.
- Lack of individual goals. Firefighters must want to get in shape before a successful program can be implemented.
- Lack of time to devote to the program. All firefighters live busy lives, so try to give your participants time to work out during shifts. Also, intensify training to the point where firefighters will be getting a workout while they are training.
- Lack of resources. If you are unable to set up your own workout facility, try to form a partnership with a local gym; give it something in return, or get a group discount.
- Lack of funding. There are many ways to get funding for a physical fitness program. Grants are available for improving firefighter physical wellness. Foundation and corporate donations are other sources of funding. Many local companies are willing to support something that is going to benefit their business and their community. Fundraising is another good way to obtain funds.
- Lack of motivation. Give your personnel something to work for. Make it competitive in some way so that they try to be better than their co-workers. Offer financial awards or gifts, a choice of fire station duties, or recognition at department events and meetings.
Now that you are ready to plan a physical fitness program, the first thing you need to do is select a health and wellness coordinator. Find a sports medicine specialist, physical trainer, or dietician willing to donate time or give you some help in running the program.
Workouts
Select the program components you want to incorporate. The program should have three types of workouts:
- Strength training improves body composition, muscle growth, metabolism rate, flexibility, and physical functioning. It also decreases the risk of osteoporosis and osteoarthritis.
- Flexibility training decreases the risk of injury and increases physical efficiency and performance. It also increases tissue temperature, which increases circulation and nutrient consumption. Flexibility training also increases neuromuscular coordination and reduces muscle soreness.
- Cardiovascular workout. Good cardiovascular training reduces the risk of heart disease and strengthens the heart and conditions it for a heavier workload. It also reduces the chances of getting Type II diabetes. A good cardiovascular workout improves circulation throughout the body, which feeds your body with nutrients.
Diet
Your program should also incorporate good diet habits. Have a dietician or a nutritionist come and acquaint your participants with the benefits of eating in a healthful manner.
Behavior Modification
Help department members who need to quit using tobacco products. Have firefighters see a physician to determine if they need to improve blood pressure, cholesterol levels, or diet. Make physicals an annual requirement. Include these screenings as well as a regimen of other health screenings and assessments in your program. This will help keep personnel motivated by showing their improvements.
Education
Educating firefighters is also important. Inform them about the risks of an unhealthful lifestyle, poor nutrition, and lack of fitness. There are many sources that will provide speakers on these topics.
Facility Needs
When trying to determine what you will need to establish your department’s program, begin by developing a budget. Identify funding sources. If funding is limited, some simple and beneficial fitness equipment might be a treadmill, a weight bench, some free weights, some jump ropes, and a basketball hoop. Ask your firefighters what they would like to have. They will be more inclined to use the equipment if it is something in which they are interested. After implementation, assess the data collected, and use it to make improvements in your program and chart its progress.
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Firefighters must take ownership of their health and fitness. We should pursue the exercises and other fitness-enhancing activities with the same fervor and aggression we display when making the stairs at a working structure fire or seeking to extricate an injured child from a crushed vehicle. It is up to us to get in better shape and improve our lifestyle. And, we can have fun while doing it.
References
“Commanders’ Guide for Continuous Work Times for Firefighters,” Defense Research and Development, Toronto Can., 2003.
“Health and Wellness Guide for the Volunteer Fire Service,” Federal Emergency Management Agency and National Volunteer Fire Council, FA-267/Jan. 2004.
Nimishillen Township (OH) Fire Department Firefighters Physical Challenge 2004, notes from Chief Richard J. Peterson, 2004.
ANDREW BOLGIANO is a full-time certified firefighter and paramedic for the Nimishillen Township (OH) Fire Department, where he has served for four years.
