First respondersWestland, MI firefighters receive federal grant for fitness program
Westland, Michigan firefighters recently received more than $100,000 from the federal government to fund a new wellness program; the health program is designed to help prevent on the job heart attacks, which is one of the primary causes of death among firefighters; roughly 100 firefighters die on the job each year, and heart attacks are responsible for 45 percent of those deaths, a higher percentage than other public safety occupations; Westland firefighters have also received $14,800 to upgrade its radio systems to comply with state-mandated standards
Westland, Michigan firefighters recently received more than $100,000 from the federal government to fund a new wellness program.
Westland Deputy Fire Chief Martin Reddy explained that the health program is designed to help prevent on the job heart attacks, which is one of the primary causes of death among firefighters.
“The fact is, it’s a dangerous job and creates hazards. There is a significantly higher rate of cardiac deaths (among firefighters) than other occupations. This wellness and fitness program combats that. You have to go from a relaxed state to fully directed in seconds,” Reddy said.
Roughly 100 firefighters die on the job each year, and heart attacks are responsible for 45 percent of those deaths, a higher percentage than other public safety occupations.
Reddy says that several members of the Westland fire department have suffered heart attacks, but none have been fatal.
The program will provide medical evaluations, peer-led fitness training, and fitness equipment.
“There are probably different ways to do it — it’s any type of program that gets us in better shape. Part of it is nutrition education and a medical evaluation. The grant provides for training six or seven firefighters as fitness trainers,” Reddy said.
The money comes as part of the DHS Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program which is aimed at helping “firefighters and other first responders to obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training, and other resources needed to protect the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards.”
The Westland City Council agreed to pay 20 percent of the total cost of the program which will cost $145,600 total.
Under the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, Westland firefighters have also received $14,800 to upgrade its radio systems to comply with state-mandated standards. These technological upgrades will allow local firefighters to have better communication and cooperation with other local agencies around the state.
