Sunday 090503

REST!

Firefighters F.I.G.H.T. to get in shape
http://www.flyergroup.com/local/local_story_119144913.html
By Ryan Palencer

CLAYTON — The number of firefighter deaths is on the rise nationwide, but people maybe surprised about the cause of those deaths.

“I think many people think that more firefighters die in burning buildings or in fires,” said Corey Bordenkecher, the public information officer for the Fire Department of Liberty Township. “That’s not correct. In fact, by the United States Fire Administration’s numbers last year, only 3 percent of firefighter deaths were as a result of somebody dying because they were burned in a fire. Over half of all firefighter deaths each year is due to a heart attack, stroke, or overexertion. That is on the rise.”

In order to combat this problem, the Fire Department of Liberty Township has begun a six-month “F.I.G.H.T. (Firefighters Intent on Getting Healthy Today) for a Safer Tomorrow.” The program is designed to better personal health and safety habits. It examines the number of miles biked/walked, weight loss, and calories burned.

Due to a heavy adrenaline rush, firefighters make themselves physically vulnerable to health issues. This number is inflated at a volunteer department, such as the Fire Department of Liberty Township.

“When you have somebody coming from home and you hear those bells, you get hyped up,” Bordenkecher said. “If you’re not in good physical condition, you’re prone to have a heart attack or stroke. It’s important for us to not only put an emphasis on safety on the fire ground or at the accident, but actually being safer by getting in here and getting in good shape so that you are prepared to go out there.”

Thus far in 2009, 25 firefighters nationwide have been killed. The annual average is for 100 to 120.

In order to protect themselves against those statistics, Liberty Township is working in teams to motivate each other to get in better physical shape.

“All of our members are on teams,” Bordenkecher said. “Together they can push each other and motivate each other to get in here and get working out so that team can win in six months.”

The program began after firefighters attended a recent convention in which the need to get in better physical shape was stressed. The department is now preparing for a national fit week for fire departments in June.

“You have a lot of firefighters coming to town to learn how to be safe, as well as public education,” Bordenkecher said. “Coupled with that, in June, we have the ‘firefighter stand down for safety week.’ Generally departments all around the country do something with it. They focus on better eating habits or something to keep their firefighters in better condition.”

As a volunteer department, Liberty Township has a more difficult time getting their firefighters in the station to be healthy. This is the major challenge for the department.

“What we wanted to do was get a jump on that ahead of time,” Bordenkecher said. “Our goal is to get our firefighters in better shape out here. Obviously, as a volunteer department, it is more of a challenge to get people in here and working out. A lot of career departments have requirements where people have to do some type of exercise training while on shift. With volunteers, it’s a little bit harder because you have day jobs. We wanted to get a leg up on that.”

Another advantage is that it allows the firefighters to be closer to the station in the event of an emergency.

“The other thing that it does is puts people on station after hours to be able to make runs,” Bordenkecher said. “Instead of coming from home, they are already here.”

Even though it is early in the program, Bordenkecher has already noticed tremendous participation.

“We have individuals here eight to eight and they are already taking time out of their day that they are required to do some sort of training,” Bordenkecher said. “A lot of them will come in here and workout here now that we have the equipment.”

ryan.palencer@flyergroup.com