Fitness in a Small Department

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Permalink Reply by Rick Decorie on April 17, 2009 at 8:35am

How about the use of incentives to getting things going. One is training credit for working out. My former department allowed that. Other ideas include getting a discount at the gym or wherever you work out for members. Maybe try an awards program so that those who lose the most weight and/or show greatest cardio or strength improvement can get a certificate or award. Good luck, stay safe and stay healthy.

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Permalink Reply by Johnny Buice on June 11, 2009 at 1:11pm

Stephen, I was in the same boat as you...give me a call and I'll tell some things I did that helped a lot. One is an organization called "Fit To Fight" www.fittofight.us we are about to update the site with this years agenda...I'm in Atlanta Ga, 2 yrs ago some AZ guys came and did it w/ us and took the concept back out there. I joined them this past April to see their version, it was awesome!
404-587-9628
Johnnny B., staying fit at 55...

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Permalink Reply by Rick Hauf on April 18, 2009 at 10:27pm

Stephen,

Your asking the million dollar question. I would say that any department that does not have a mandatory minimum fitness requirement is struggling with the same challenge. My personnel opinion is that you are making a difference right now by setting the example. Continue to work out yourself. Then continue to encourage your crew and finally the rest of the department. Engage your crews in physically demanding drills when doing training. And do physical activities with them that are not fire related (golf, biking, hiking etc) when off duty.

If you do find a way that gets guys out of the chairs and moving toward better fitness then my friend you'll write a book that will sell a million copies.

Good luck and be safe,

Rick Hauf
Battalion Chief
Stillwater Fire Department
rhauf@stillwater.org

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Permalink Reply by Stephen on April 19, 2009 at 8:32am

Thanks for the ideas and words. I have thought about the incentive program; and in all honesty, that seems to be one of the more logical ideas. There is no question that concern about fitness is contagious (sp?). We are starting to see more and more firefighters getting concerned and doing something about it, not only in our fire department but also in the other area fire departments. I had a discussion with one my Lt. the other day about some ideas that I have, and at least I know that we are on the same page. I also have the backing of several other members of my crew that I work out with on a regular basis. In case you can't tell, I am VERY passionate about this! I have lived a lot of my life in an unhealthy way, and I am committed to making the right steps and changes in my own life. I have currently lost 40lbs and can tell a HUGE difference in the everday tasks around the station as well as on the fire ground. I just wish I could impress this on the other less motivated members.

Thanks again. Feel free to keep throwing ideas this way, as I am sure this will be a long drawn out process of affecting change. And Rick, I promise that if I get this figured out, you will be the FIRST one to get a copy of the book! :)

Stay safe and Stay healthy! (I like that!)

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Permalink Reply by Tara Mitchell on October 7, 2009 at 11:04am

Hi!
My suggestion is that you should talk to your officers and chief and try starting a Health and Safety program and the mere fact that NFPA 1500 requires health and safety in the fire service.
Tara

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