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Emergency workers to get fit with grant

Grant money will help keep Spotsylvania County fire and rescue staff and volunteers in shape

By DAN TELVOCK

Date published: 5/6/2008

By DAN TELVOCK

Spotsylvania fire and rescue workers will soon have their own gyms and a trainer to help them improve their overall health.

And they won't have to pay a penny.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security awarded the county's fire and rescue department a $604,184 Assistance to Firefighters grant. Supervisors approved a 20 percent local match of $151,046 on April 10.

Fire and Rescue Chief Chris Eudailey said workout equipment will be installed in each of the 10 fire stations. The gyms will be available to employees and volunteers 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Eudailey, who has lost 30 pounds from working out in the past, said he wants to start a mandatory physical fitness program. He said some stations already have some gym equipment, but it is a financial challenge to provide all stations with fitness opportunities.

"We've got people in Belmont and Partlow and they don't have any gym facilities available to them," he said. "We had a lot of donated stuff that came from people's homes and it was bits and pieces of different things. This way we will have consistent equipment in all 10 of the response areas."

The department also will hire a consultant to conduct a health and wellness program for one year. The consultant will train a few members of the department to teach the program after the year is up. Volunteers and career staff will earn incentives, such as movie passes and certificates to sporting stores, for working with the trainer.

New and current volunteers also will receive free physical exams. Stress tests also will be available.

Kevin Dillard, administrative chief for Chancellor Fire and Rescue, said members won't need gym memberships now. He hopes the perk can help retain and recruit volunteers.

"We are really trying to promote healthy lifestyles," he said. "It is especially going to be beneficial for the stations that are a little bit slower. We are definitely going to encourage people to use it."

Eudailey said he hopes to have the gyms open and a trainer chosen by the end of the year.

Dan Telvock: 540/374-5438
Email: dtelvock@freelancestar.com

GYM DANDY STATION EQUIPMENT The county will seek bids for 20 treadmills, 20 Jacob's Ladders, 20 upright exercise bikes, 10 rotating glute/ham benches, 10 multigym weight stations and 10 elliptical machines. SECOND GRANT FOR EDUCATION Spotsylvania supervisors are expected to approve a partial match of $29,000 of a $147,000 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Fire and Rescue Chief Chris Eudailey said the grant will fund a public fire education class and a fire inspector 1 program for career staff. The public fire education class will focus on children and the elderly, who are most at risk of fire dangers, Eudailey said. The fire inspection program will teach career staff how to inspect businesses seeking occupancy permits. He said he has two inspectors dedicated to the work, but the class will train all career staff how to do them. Eudailey said his goal is to inspect all commercial businesses at least once a year. "We are looking at [career staff] to focus on some of the smaller types of businesses that don't have sprinkler systems or fire alarm systems," he said. "It helps crews become more familiar with the businesses in the area, so if they have an emergency, they will have a general idea about the footprint of the building."

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Date published: 5/6/2008