Five firefighters are running, lifting and sweating in a brightly lit workout room.

Nestled into the corner of the Langford Fire Hall on Peatt Road, they crack jokes, offer up a friendly banter, exercising in blue t-shirts emblazoned with Langford Fire Rescue across their backs.

For more than a month, these firefighters have been in competition mode, in a firefighterB次元官网网址檚 fitness challenge between themselves and (so far) the Metchosin, Sooke/Otter Point, Oak Bay and Sidney departments. TheyB次元官网网址檙e focusing not only on pumping water onto fires, but also pumping iron in the gym.

B次元官网网址淚n a time when most of us are a little lax on our fitness, (this) really encouraged us to keep up to date on our fitness throughout Christmas and beginning of the new year,B次元官网网址� said Assistant Chief Chris Aubrey. B次元官网网址淲e record how many hours weB次元官网网址檙e doing the fitness activities and compare notes with the rest of the departments and see who wins at the end of the day.B次元官网网址�

Aubrey, one of 15 Langford firefighters who stepped up to the plate when the Metchosin Fire Department put the challenge forward, said there was more interest than spots available and the benefits were many.

B次元官网网址淚f weB次元官网网址檙e able to work together as a group and improve, collectively, the fitness level of all the local fire departments, then weB次元官网网址檙e all going to be able to provide a better service,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭o have really fit, well-trained firefighters in your community to help you out in your time of need is certainly going to be an asset and a benefit to the community.B次元官网网址�

The challenge, which involves 60 firefighters, is a B次元官网网址渉ealthy competitionB次元官网网址� in more ways than one, Aubrey said, pointing to the good work being done by staff and volunteers in the neighbouring Metchosin department.

B次元官网网址淚 know that they have really been working hard over the past couple years. They have a new gym in their fire hall and theyB次元官网网址檝e been encouraging their members to get more physically active,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 great to see them take that momentum in their department and spill it over to other departments that are interested in getting involved.B次元官网网址�

That enthusiasm not only rekindled an interest in fitness in Langford members, it fuelled their competitive spirit.

B次元官网网址淭hey want to win,B次元官网网址� Aubrey said of his workmates. B次元官网网址淗ealthy competition in this regard is good, and it is a healthy competition because it is for our own personal health B次元官网网址� ItB次元官网网址檚 more than bragging rights.B次元官网网址�

Metchosin Fire Chief Stephanie Dunlop said WorkSafe requires forms of fitness and wellness programs. And in a profession where heart attacks are one of the number one causes of death, a high level of fitness is key.

B次元官网网址淲e could be walking up a big hill with a hoseline and that is a huge exertion. Ninety-nine per cent (of volunteer firefighters) work a full day and now they get a call at 2 a.m. during rest, and all of a sudden their body is forced into action,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 a lot of stress on the body and the more fit they are, the less stress on their body and heart.B次元官网网址�

Dunlop has noticed a difference in herself, feeling stronger when she is first on the scene and forced to climb up areas, she is no longer as out of breath and is more able to stay focused on the task at hand.

B次元官网网址淭he bar is set high for fitness in our department now and everyone has jumped on board. ItB次元官网网址檚 not just being in the gym and bulking up,B次元官网网址� she said.

While she believes the program benefits everyone from the firefighters and their families to the communities, she offered up a friendly note to the other departments involved.

B次元官网网址淧eople always want to win and thatB次元官网网址檚 why we set up this challenge, so we can compete and encourage other departments B次元官网网址� especially when you have mutual aid department like Langford,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 going to be really heartbreaking (for a larger department like them) to lose to a little department like us.B次元官网网址�

alim@goldstreamgazette.com