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Congressman Ed Perlmutter presented the
Golden Fire Department with a check yesterday in the amount of
$13,252 on behalf of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
to purchase fitness equipment for the Department’s staff and
volunteers to use at Station No. 4. The 2007 Assistance to
Firefighters Grant is administered through the DHS Federal
Emergency Management Agency’s National Preparedness
Directorate in consultation with the U.S. Fire Administration.
Golden Fire Capt. Tina Gustafson wrote the
grant application asking for funds for fitness equipment that would
be available to help encourage firefighters to achieve and maintain
fitness.
“Since all of the 55 frontline
firefighters [in Golden] are volunteers, finding time to workout
can be challenging,” states the application. “By having
equipment at the station, firefighters will have more opportunity
to squeeze a workout into their already busy schedules of family,
work, and department responsibilities.”
Through the grant funds, the Department
has ordered cardiovascular exercise machines, including an
elliptical and an exercise bicycle, and strength training
equipment, including weights, a cable pulley system and a variety
of exercise balls. The equipment is expected to be installed and
ready for use by March.
The Department decided to install the
equipment at Station No. 4 (near Heritage Square) because the
Department’s shift program is currently housed at that
station, where firefighters will have the opportunity to use the
equipment during their 12-hour shifts. Other firefighters can
workout as their schedules bring them to the station, such as after
work detail and training sessions. Furthermore, firefighters
already have access to the Golden Community Center’s
equipment while working out of Fire Station No. 1 (next to City
Hall on 10th Street).
Having exercise equipment at the fire
station will allow firefighters to workout as their schedules
permit. If firefighters are working out at the station, they are
also available for calls. Firefighters sometimes are reluctant to
go to a gym to workout, especially at times when staffing is light,
since they are not able to respond to calls. This arrangement would
solve that dilemma.
Having a common workout facility will
encourage fitness among the volunteers by its availability.
Additionally, firefighters are often competitive in nature. Through
their interaction, some Department members may find themselves
beginning a workout program because their colleagues have started
one. The Fire Officers will promote and encourage all firefighters
to take advantage of the equipment. Finally, providing exercise
equipment demonstrates that the Department values the wellness of
its membership as it develops a healthier group of volunteer
firefighters.
With medical costs increasing all the
time, less than $15,000 is a small investment in helping prevent
injury or other medical issues for more than 55 people. The cost of
this equipment is less than $230 per firefighter!
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