MetchosinB次元官网网址檚 fire hall is undergoing a transformation.
The longstanding hall isnB次元官网网址檛 being renovated and there are no immediate plans for any upgrades, but many of the nearly 40 volunteer firefighters and staff manning the hall are undergoing changes to themselves. A new fire fitness program aimed at increasing the overall health of its membership has been embraced by the Metchosin Fire Department.
B次元官网网址�(Some fire halls) have reduced sick time drastically because of this,B次元官网网址� says Fire Chief Stephanie Dunlop.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 been a great change and (weB次元官网网址檝e seen) great buy-in from everyone. I now get to the gym every single day; before, it wasnB次元官网网址檛 a priority for me.B次元官网网址�
Dunlop says one of the most common causes of firefighter death is heart attack on a fire scene, an issue exacerbated for the non-career members volunteering at hundreds of departments around Canada and the U.S.
That concern has seen the Metchosin department work closely with WorkSafeBC, while encouraging firefighters to improve physical fitness.
The fire hall gym has been made larger, with cardio equipment added and trainer Monica Elliot brought in to design a workout circuit for the volunteers.
The gym has gone from being B次元官网网址渁 little hole in the groundB次元官网网址� five years ago to one that makes it easier for firefighters to work out, she says. B次元官网网址淭he idea is that people are getting healthier, so we lower our risk of a medical condition happening on a fire scene. ItB次元官网网址檚 about keeping them healthy and increasing morale and camaraderie.B次元官网网址�
Dunlop says the program has rolled in nicely with the hallB次元官网网址檚 weekly dinner, where firefighters rotate cooking duties to make dinner for the rest of the members.
Slowly, healthier food options are overtaking less healthy ones, the benefits of which are far reaching, says volunteer firefighter Jason Humphries.
B次元官网网址淲e have a physical job at the best of times, and this (program) is showing we care about the membership and want everyone to be as healthy as (possible),B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淲e spend a lot of time practicing for medical calls and house fires and accidents, but we donB次元官网网址檛 spend a lot of time promoting well-being amongst ourselves B次元官网网址� this is one of the steps we are trying.B次元官网网址�
Firefighters choose their own level of involvement in the program, which culminates every Sunday evening with a purpose-built class that uses training guidelines from the National Fire Protection Association. Exercises include advancing with charged fire lines, hitting a weighted sled with a rubberized sledge hammer, dragging life-like dummies and doing balance work.
B次元官网网址淲e are taking care of ourselves so we can take care of (the community) and that is great,B次元官网网址� Humphries says. B次元官网网址淲e take pride in what we do and we try to embrace the community.B次元官网网址�
Demonstrating that commitment to the residents helps instil faith in the fire protection service, he adds. B次元官网网址淭wo to three years down the road, I hope it is a program that can continue.B次元官网网址�
Dunlop agrees, saying her job is to look out for her firefighters B次元官网网址� if any of them looks queasy or she has other concerns for their safety, she pulls them out of a situation. She sees this as preventative maintenance for her firefighters and the community.
B次元官网网址淚f I have a guy that is out of shape and torques his back or pulls a muscle, he is no use B次元官网网址� heB次元官网网址檚 out of commission until he is better,B次元官网网址� the chief says.
B次元官网网址淚f he can have preventative maintenance to be in good shape B次元官网网址� In the long run it is safer for our citizens.B次元官网网址�
