Gates Fire District Implements Exercise and Fitness Program

By Assistant Chief Alan R. Bubel,
Gates Fire District

The Gates Fire District in Monroe County has teamed with a local fitness facility to address the health and wellness needs of its firefighters.

Beginning in October of 2011, career firefighters are detailed in their assigned apparatus to Total Sports Experience (TSE) for exercise and fitness training for one hour each shift while on duty. The training is managed by the TSE staff, with baseline and periodic assessments completed to determine each firefighter’s level of fitness and to track their progress. Volunteer members are able to staff apparatus and report to TSE three evenings each month for fitness training as well.

After more than six months of participating in this initiative, Gates firefighters’ resting heart rates are down, recovery time after exercise has improved, and, on average, they have each lost five pounds.

The program is based on the IAFC/IAFF Wellness and Fitness Program and is a cooperative effort between the fire district and the firefighters’ labor union. The two entities split equally the cost of the firefighters’ memberships. So far, the statistics show the program is well worth the investment. Given that heart attacks and strokes remain leading causes of firefighter deaths across the country each year, the prevention aspect of this initiative only increases its value. For years the fire service has placed the readiness of equipment and apparatus at the top of the priority list. Now, that same level of importance has been placed on people.

About the Author:
Assistant Chief Alan R. Bubel of the Gates Fire District is responsible for the department’s health and safety programs. He worked with representatives from the IAFF local to create the Exercise and Fitness Training Program. Click here to contact him for more information on the program.