Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, March 9, 1990 TAG: 9003092563
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B1 EDITION: EVENING
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER MUNICIPAL WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Not helmets, oxygen tanks or boots.
It's equipment you usually find in athletic clubs and health centers - not in fire stations.
Stationary bicycles, free weights, exercise benches.
The city Fire Department has started a physical fitness program that requires firefighters to engage in some form of exercise each day they are on duty to help them stay fit.
All fire stations have been equipped with fitness equipment. Exercise mats will be provided soon.
The city also will supply firefighters with T-shirts and athletic shorts for exercise.
"The primary purpose of the program is to improve the overall physical fitness of the department and to decrease injuries and/or illness," said Fire Chief Rawleigh Quarles.
The exercise program, which was started March 1, is designed to increase upper-body strength and the cardiovascular condition of firefighters, Quarles said.
Firefighters need upper-body strength as they handle high-pressure water hoses, rescue people from burning buildings, climb ladders and perform other strenuous tasks.
The fire department has always had agility and fitness tests for hiring, but it has now adopted detailed standards for cardiovascular conditioning, Quarles said. The new standards deal with percentage of body fat, regular calisthenics and other standards.
Firefighters who were hired after Aug. 1, 1989, are required to meet the new standards. Firefighters hired before then do not have to meet the standards, but they are required to exercise daily when they are on duty.
Fire company commanders are required to monitor the exercise program and to keep records for each employee.
Quarles said the fitness program was developed by a committee that included a physician, a physical therapist, an occupational health nurse and firefighters.
Some firefighters were apprehensive about the fitness program initially, Quarles said, but they seem to like it now.
"There is always some concern when there is change, but after we grandfathered the existing employees from the fitness standards, I think that relieved any apprehension," he said.
Quarles said he would like to see other municipal departments implement a fitness program for their employees.
by CNB