Just how smart is it to try to run up 31 flights of stairs in less than six minutes, wearing 50 pounds of firefighting gear? Not very!
Today’s Northwest Herald carries a story about three employees of the Woodstock Fire/Rescue District who are training to compete against other firefighters by running up the stairs in a tall office building.
Just how tall? Try 31 stories. This ought to be great preparation for protecting the skyscrapers in Woodstock? What? No skyscrapers? Maybe they are on the way.
Firefighter competitions are good for morale. Preparation for contests is good for physical health.
Last year, when I inquired by WFRD fire trucks and ambulances were parked in the Fire Lane at the Woodstock Rec Center, I learned that WFRD employees participate in a physical fitness program designed to reduce the risk of heart attacks while fighting fires. Now, if you are in Chicago or L.A. and must haul hose up 10-15-20 flights of stairs, yes, being strong is good. Even hauling hose up 4-5-6 flights requires high exertion.
Now the company-paid, strength training is about to pay off. Or is it?
What are the risks of running up 31 flights? What are the added risks when wearing 50 pounds of gear? Heart attack? Muscle strain or other injury? Slip and fall?
Who will pay for medical care and time off, if the employee is injured while participating in this Fire Department competition? Will WFRD bear the costs of medical treatment and lost time? Will the employee compete on his own time, providing his own transportation to and from the competition? Do contestants sign Releases, absolving WFRD from all liability for medical care, income or disability income? Who paid the Rec Center trainers to accompany contestants to the Opera House and train them? WFRD? Or did they volunteer their time?
Are the stairs at the Woodstock Opera House open to any resident of Woodstock for exercise? Can we all just head down to the Opera House, in good weather or bad, and use the stairs for recreational walking or “strength training”? I doubt it. But maybe they are and we can. Let's don our walking shoes and gather there every morning to exercise, instead of driving to Spring Hill Mall to walk the halls.
You never know who is interested…
3 months ago
15 comments:
We could do some upper body work by beating the crap out of you. Move to Never-never land Peter Pan!
Confucius say: man who try to be big member of society usually have small one himself.
Gus, I am one of the aforementioned firefighters competing in this weekends stair climb. I would be more than happy to sit down and answer your questions face to face. But just a little fyi for you...all time is volunteered, nothing is given up on the part of the department. All transportation is provided by each individual. The only things the department has provided us with is; 1. the gear we wear(which if damaged on a nondepartment related function would be fixed on the participants dime) and 2. Support from our fellow firefighters. Being a fairly new resident to woodstock i'm unsure of how the people really feels about this community. But I'm very disappointed that someone, such as yourself, with a medium to speak to people would use it to draw negative attention to something that is being done for no other reason than to help raise awareness and money for the American Lung Association of the Greater Chicago Area. Maybe it's in your nature to find the bad in things....but it is my nature to try and help people. That is why I'm a firefighter/paramedic, and that is why I'm participating in this weekend's stair climb. You might also be interested to know that I will be participating in other such activities throughout the year. For example, Hustle up the Hancock, Susan G. Komen Walk for the Cure 3day Breast Cancer walk, Shamrock Shuffle, and various other more local events. Again this is all just FYI to help better educate you on this topic you felt so compelled to write about. Thank you for your time in reading this comment.
Ryan Mains
WFRD Firefigher/Paramedic
I'm glad to know that if there is a fire at my house I won't have a bunch of out of shape men and women trying to save my family. I wish I could say the same for the Woodstock Police. Now there is a bunch of out of shape people. Except for the police dog. He seems pretty fit.
If Gus were to respond to a fire at your home all he would be able to do would be tell you what you should have done and the equipment you should have in place to prevent the fire. Then he would request a ticket from the police for the pollution. Finally a bill would be submitted for his time. If you were lucky you might get a "thank you" for providing a little warmth from your burning home for the time he spent giving his critique.
Ryan - Thanks for the info and good luck. This Woodstock resident thinks what you're doing is great! As is usually the case Gus doesn't know what he's talking about but blathers on anyway. Moron.
Gus would also complain about the city employees who failed to find the construction faults that caused the fire. Citations would follow. And how about an ordinance against open burning? A small mind "guiding" a small town.
Right now he would complain also that the sidewalk wasn't shoveled to allow safe walking surfaces for all of the spectators.
i think gus should participate also. i think it would do him some good. then after the competition he can go for a cigarette and a beer at one of the local watering holes.
Ryan,
Thanks for clarifying the participation in this event and that there is no risk to the WFRD. The information you provided was very helpful, and I appreciated the courtesy and tone in which you offered it. Good luck to you and the other WFRD personnel who will participate.
Gus, I'm sure thankful that the City of Woodstock has you protecting the well-being of mankind. Have you ever heard of anal-retentive? Maybe you should make sure your own home is in order before analyzing others.
Why dont you get a blow up doll to occupy your wasted time. Be sure not to pop it with your needle dick this time. I wish I had the time to drive around town complaining about stupid things like you do.
Ryan:
Thanks for explaining the obvious to Gus! (Even though you shouldn't have to.)I am so glad that the incoming Firemen are aware of the importance of health and fitness as well as community service. What a great example you are setting for our youth. Thats what firemen are supposed to do! Challenging yourself personally while raising funds for a good cause builds character. Hats (or helmets) off Ryan! Best of Luck!
I got to run up and down the stairs too last night. I thought it was pretty nice of the staff to allow me (a simple resident) in to do some excersise. It sure beats paying the costly fees at the Woodstock recreation Center. I get warts all over my hands every time i work out there.
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