Wanna Bet?

     I'm used to being lied to. It comes with job.  Everything from a life long 2 pack a day smoker who now has COPD and is on home O2 lying about smoking, when I can smell the smoke and see the cigarette in the ashtray.  Of course you weren't smoking that was somebody else and they just left right?  To politicians and management lying about how much they support us, while at the same time selling us out to keep themselves in a job.  I'm a cynic at heart, so Tuesday's news about firefighters getting physicals and being forced to complete a physical agility test to stay on the job rings all kinds of alarm bells. The article can be found here

     I support mandatory annual physicals for all firefighters.  Firefighter's have a significant increase in the rates of cancer's, hear attacks, strokes, heart stress are typically the number 1 killer of firefighter's every year accounting for over 50% of LODD reported. Annual physicals have proven their worth in cities all across the nation by alerting firefighters to potentially life threatening diseases at an early stage allowing for a greater chance of survival.  The department and the commision is now suddenly concerned for our well-being.  I don't think so.  It's an agenda, plain and simple.  The department provided physical a couple of years ago through an Assistance to Firefighter's Grant (AFG) that was intended to be a yearly physical complete with nutritunal and physical fitness support.  What happened to that program?  Oh, yeah it cost money. Scrap that plan. 

     Now we have a new plan that purports to include all "certified firefighters"  I hope this means all personnel who hold and maintain their certification.  This would include many in Administration and the Fire Prevention Bureau.  I'm not holding my breath. I'm sure they will find a way to weasel out of it and dump the entire program on the backs of us in suppression.  It's the nature of the beast, I suppose.  The more I read this the more this sounds like a rant. In a way it is.  While I support physical and to a degree the physical agility test.  What I want is physicals designed for fire fighter, not some physical you got in high school so you could play sports.  I want a support program in palce that is supported by the department and the county government that not only provides support for healthy nutrution/diets but actually "supports" the program. How about a physical fitness program that is designed to address issues specific to firefighters (flexibility, core strength, endurance) and tailored to each firefighter.  I'm not daydreaming.  I'm simply saying that if we are to mandated to do this then support it. 

     We are the only department that this applies to. Why is that?  Is is because we demanded it?  Not that I recall.  Is it because our leaders have our well being at heart?  Not based on past experiences.  Then why?  An agenda, plain and simple. Politics at its finest.  What about the Sheriff's department, the Marshal's department.  They are public safety, they represent the goverrment and interact with citizens. They are called on to confront life threatening situations. Yet they are not being mandated to confrom to this policy. Why? Because their bosses are elected and can do what they will as long as the voters keep putting them in office.  So the burden falls to the FD, because we have no recourse.  Beacause there is a political power struggle taking place (shocking I know) and we are caught in the middle.  I will support this program for the simple reason that some good can come of it. All I ask is that the program be done fairly and be fully supported by the county and the FD admin.  That means getting a physical and completing the physical agility test.  Set an example. Be a Leader.