SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST

Fit for Duty? Company officers must set the example when it comes to physical fitness
Story & Photos by Jeff & Martha Ellis

To tell people to “lead by example” almost sounds cliché these days. The expression can mean different things to different people. But one thing is certain: It does not mean, “Do as I say, not as I do.”

If you have a broad understanding of the job of firefighter/EMS provider, you understand that the work is never-ending when it comes to book study, physical and interpersonal skill development, and fitness. If you’re a company officer, you should also understand that you can’t promote the status quo in any of these areas. You must expect and produce continuous improvement within yourself, your crew, your platoon and your department.

The company officer is the epicenter of change in the fire service, so motivating your crew and leading by example should rank high on your list of priorities, second only to ensuring the safety of your crew.

Although some may argue that being prepared is the responsibility of engineers, firefighters and paramedics, the onus is ultimately on the officer. In other words, the company officer is responsible for ensuring the level of physical preparedness of every firefighter on their crew, which subsequently ensures that the crew can carry its weight in an emergency. This does not mean that you turn a blind eye to the problem and just plan on covering for the ill equipped.

There’s a lot of truth to the belief that your crew is only as strong as its weakest link. The driven firefighter will always be encumbered with shouldering the workload of the unprepared. Is that what you want for your crew? As an officer, you’re not doing anyone any favors by covering for an unfit crewmember, considering that, in the end, it’s tough to cover for a dead crewmember.

We live in a time when we’re expected to do more with less—in some cases, a lot less. Therefore now, more than ever before, is the time to bolster our preparedness, both as individuals and as a group. Physical training is intrinsic to everything we do. Of all things, it should be a major priority.

Follow the Fit or Unfit Leader
When the company officer makes fitness a priority by participating in physical training and perhaps even going so far as to develop team-training opportunities, it changes the entire dynamic of their crew. Most crewmembers will follow the officer’s lead, even if it means getting up and walking when they normally would’ve opted to sit in the lounge chair. If you’re an officer who struggles with your own motivation, don’t be surprised if you fail to foster respect, loyalty and dedication from your peers and subordinates.

If you do have the motivation, but you struggle with your weight, it can be intimidating and maybe even embarrassing to take that first step toward a new fitness regimen; however, exhibiting that level of vulnerability to others makes it safe for those who might have less fortitude than you to at least try to join in your efforts.

Whether you’re fit or not so fit, remember: Keep physical training positive, consistent and in the spirit of improvement, and your rewards will be profound.

Curse of the Lean & Mean
Although being unfit comes with its own set of challenges, the lean and mean officer may actually have a tougher row to hoe. Ironically, the fit officer can be dismissed by the less fit as “that fitness zealot who just doesn’t understand my challenges.”

If you’re already in great shape, you’ll have zero credibility if you don’t first seek to understand those you hope to influence before telling them how to run their lives. (Note: Your goal should not actually be to run their lives. That was sarcasm.)

Your effectiveness as a leader, particularly in this arena, will be predicated on your ability to project compassion and an honest desire to help. Your first priority: Promote trust by understanding each crewmember’s starting point and encouraging their participation accordingly.

Get an Early Start
Whatever your plan of attack is for implementing physical training, we strongly recommend working out as early in the day as possible. A good 30–60 minute workout, in addition to the housework, apparatus and equipment checks, still allows for the crew to shower and be ready for morning activities by 1000 HRS at the latest, depending on what time you have shift change.

Keep in mind that typically, there are two mornings per shift, three for those of you on the 48/96 schedule. And although hanging out and drinking coffee together after a tough night is a pleasant way to start the day, try not to miss too many opportunities to work out going off shift, too. The expectation is that we’re physically fit to do the job, and most departments will support physical training on duty.

Remember: Getting paid to work out is one of the perks of the job, but you’ve got to actually do it if you want to reap the benefits.

One Last Tip
To help garner buy-in for fitness training, create an actual team workout program. This can be as easy as pulling up the daily Crossfit workout, (www.Crossfit.com) watching a P90X-style workout DVD or creating a customized workout like we described in “Diamonds Are Push-Ups? Use the ‘Deck of Cards’ workout to spice up your routine,” February issue, p. 130. These programs can enhance your workouts by fostering collaboration, encouragement and friendly competition.

Division Chief Martha Ellis has been a firefighter with the Salt Lake City Fire Department (SLCFD) for more than 15 years, serving as a firefighter, an engineer, a media technician, an ARFF training officer, an airport fire marshal and currently the fire marshal for Salt Lake City. She has won the Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge Women’s Division five times, and held the world record for 8 consecutive years. She also works as a certified fitness coordinator for the SLCFD.

Captain Jeff Ellis of the Murray (Utah) Fire Department (MFD) has served for more than 25 years as a firefighter, an engineer, a hazmat technician and a shift training captain. He’s been a certified fitness coordinator for the department since 1996. As a competitor in the Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge, he has won two overall world championships, three Over 40 world championships and helped MFD take the team trophy. He has been active in teaching all aspects of firefighting, including swiftwater rescue and fitness and nutrition in the fire service.

E-mail your fitness-related questions or comments to Jeff and Martha at fit2serve@gmail.com.