It was a bit like kids on Christmas morning as Upper Pine firefighters tried out new exercise equipment at the Forest Lakes station on Dec. 17.
They tossed a big padded ball around and caught it, despite its 20-pound weight. Tom Barnes gritted his teeth as he tried out the rowing machine, leading a colleague to suggest he wouldn't be worth much for the rest of the day.
Along with the weight ball and rowing machine, Upper Pine got a squat stand, utility bench, barbell, kettleballs, plyometric box, bumper plates and several smaller items.
The new equipment worth $2,500, from Again Faster Equipment, was donated by 5-5-5 Fitness, a firefighters' health and wellness non-profit organization. 5-5-5 was founded by a group of firefighters in 2013 to promote firefighter safety and health. They raise money for fitness equipment grants through merchandise sales at their online store, 555fitness.com.
5-5-5 representative Larry Manasco said, "The reason we started this (equipment grant program) was line-of-duty deaths, many from heart attacks. Everybody is ignoring the elephant in the room. We don't want to see anybody from your department dying of a heart attack and everyone saying the department never gave us anything to stay in shape."
Manasco continued. "Most guys have second jobs, family. They are busy." This way they can work out during their shift. 5-5-5 also provides workout programs at no charge.
"You get all the news coverage if firefighters die in a (building) collapse, but not if they die over several years from heart attacks," he said.
Fire departments apply to 5-5-5 for the equipment grants. Applications were evaluated based on need and ability to implement fitness plans within their departments. "You beat out some big departments," Manasco said. "You won this because of the fitness you are already doing."
Deputy Chief Josh Lorenzen said, "We are the second recipient of this grant. Their goal is for firefighters to be fit and ready to do their job. ... I've been familiar with 5-5-5 for my own personal use. Every year they give away a fitness package. I applied, and we were fortunate enough to receive it."
Dr. Tony DeMond, Upper Pine's physician advisor for medical responders, said, "This is true prevention. All those lab tests might turn up a problem, but this is true prevention." He added, "Do you know someone who will give a nutrition grant for our kitchen?"
Work is nearing completion on a major addition at the Forest Lakes station to provide living quarters for shift firefighters/paramedics. Lorenzen said they hope to have their Certificate of Occupancy soon.
Currently there is one responder at the station 40 hours a week during the daytime. Once they have the CO for the addition, a paramedic will be there 24 hours a day, and maybe a part-time person, Lorenzen said. He hopes that will be in January.
