The Falcon Fire Protection District hasn’t had an on-the-job injury in three years. Their clean safety record resulted in a $1,915 workers’ compensation reimbursement for 2006. They also received a reimbursement for 2005, said Trent Harwig, Falcon fire chief.Harwig attributes the record to the firefighters’ strong physical condition and mental alertness.Firefighters at Falcon Station No. 1 are “being more cognitive and paying attention,” he added.The district received a $20,000 FEMA grant for pre-hire and ongoing physical assessments, which were completed at Memorial Hospital. “It hadn’t been done in the past, because we couldn’t afford it,” Harwig said. However, the fire district has required an annual physical and agility test, which is completed at the fire department. The grant allowed for a more detailed assessment.”From now on, though, this is the responsibility of the fire department,” Harwig said.He said physicals will be conducted based on the individual’s age and history.”We’re making sure the firefighters are in the best physical condition to do the job we are asking.”
