As the calendar page flips to a new year, many people resolve to improve their diets and get into better shape. For firefighters, however, fitness and good nutrition are more than New Yearís resolutions; theyíre the keys to safe, long and healthy careers.About 100 firefighters die in the line of duty every year in the United States. U.S. Fire Administration statistics show that heart attacks accounted for nearly half of all firefighter deaths between 2007 and 2011. Firefighting is a job of physical and mental demands stressful to the body.Falcon Fire Protection District firefighter Matt Seube, who also serves on the districtís health and wellness committee, said, ìWe put our bodies through major strain each and every day,î from carrying equipment, pulling charged hose lines and raising ladders to lifting and carrying patients. ìYou have to be prepared physically to do this job,î he added.Glenn Levy, FFPD training division chief, agreed. ìPhysical fitness is crucial,î he said. ìFirefighters are constantly going from normal activity to anaerobic activity, which is hard on the body. That, in combination with the additional weight of equipment and gear that we wear and carry, makes physical fitness an important part of our job.îA firefighter’s protective coat, pants, boots and helmet weigh about 20 pounds. Self-contained breathing apparatus adds another 25 pounds. Regardless of physical stature, firefighters must be able to carry heavy equipment and perform strenuous tasks while wearing this extra 45 to 50 pounds of protective gear. They have to be able to walk, crawl, lift, climb and pull, often while working in extreme conditions such as heat, cold, severe weather and hazardous situations.Adding to physical demands are mental stressors that result from working long shifts, not knowing when the next call will come in, traumatic calls and sleep deprivation. FFPD firefighters work 48-hour shifts and are often pulled from sleep by emergencies during the night.ìImagine being asleep and abruptly awoken with an alarm, having to get dressed, know the exact address and location of an incident, drive an emergency vehicle and be expected to perform perfectly ñ all in about a minute,î Levy said.To encourage physical fitness, FFPD firefighters are given the opportunity to work out while on duty. Fire station No. 1 was designed with a workout room, which is equipped with an impressive array of weights and cardio machines acquired through the federal Assistance to Firefighters grant program. Fire station No. 3 also has a smaller workout area, with fewer machines and weights.Fitness is more than just lifting weights or working out on a stair climbing machine. Like most firefighters, FFPD members enjoy a variety of physical activities and sports on their days off, including mountain biking, climbing, hiking and hunting. Firefighter Amy Webb is an avid runner, logging 5 or 6 miles before her shifts. ìI think it is a great way to get ready for my day and I have my cardio out of the way.†Some of the guys think I am crazy, but it keeps me healthy and in shape for the job.îStaying fit and healthy reduces on-the-job injuries and ensures that crews can provide the best service possible to citizens. ìFalcon, as a community, is investing in the fire department,î Seube said. ìBy doing so, theyíre investing in the personnel. The chief has a vision to keep the employees of the district healthy. Thatís the overall goal we have.îA large part of staying healthy is good nutrition. FFPD personnel try to eat healthy meals at the station. ìHealthy food cooked right is way better than deep fried or fast food,î Webb said. But cooking can be a challenge when emergencies donít follow a set schedule, and sometimes crews have to fall back on food that is quick and easy.FFPD personnel pay for their own meals while on duty. Individually, they provide their own breakfast and lunch, but dinners are usually a shared meal. Stations are equipped with full kitchens, and cooking duties rotate among crew members.Seube is known for preparing healthy meals. ìI like to stick with turkey and chicken. I cook turkey burgers, and I either use some sort of seasoning or a specific cheese,î he said. ìI buy the thin buns, and then Iíll make some broccoli or cauliflower to try to keep it as healthy as possible.î He tries to stay away from fats, sauces and sodium.Some firehouse cooks are well-known for different reasons. Firefighter Cody Thomson is still honing his cooking skills. “I cook all of my meals, but with a little ‘mom love.’ She helps me with the recipes.”Another firefighter gets more than a little assistance from mom. When asked about a rumor that his mother has actually come to the station to prepare the dinner meal, firefighter Trace Reeves deadpanned, “I’m not going to say it hasn’t happened … more than once.” But he smiled at the good-natured ribbing he gets from his crew ñ and the rave reviews they gave his mom’s cooking.
