NH Fire Department Launches Mandatory Fitness Program

The Portsmouth Fire Department now has a mandatory fitness program Fire Chief Todd Germain called "the most important program for our department" since it added paramedic duties 20 years ago.

Approved by the City Council and endorsed by the firefighters' union, it requires all firefighters to have annual physicals, to exercise 30 minutes for every 12-hour work shift and meet confidential, scored training goals. They'll be offered training and counseling in areas including substance abuse, addictive behaviors, stress management, domestic violence, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, cumulative stress and grief counseling.

Gyms have been cobbled together in all three fire stations and firefighters will use them to meet personal fitness goals, while coaches from the Port CrossFit gym will guide toward goals and safety. Germain said he knows of no other program as comprehensive as the one newly adopted by the Portsmouth Fire Department.

"Healthier and more fit firefighters will provide a better service for the city," Germain said. "A huge credit goes to the union's leadership. Without the cooperation and participation of Capt. Brian Ryll and firefighter Tim Dame, it doesn't get done."

He said the days of firefighters sitting and eating pizzas between calls are long gone.

"It's great that we're getting out of the dark ages and focusing on health and fitness," said Capt. Bill McQuillen, who heads the firefighters' union.

At the downtown Station 1, an old storage room for turnout gear has been transformed into a fitness area. It's nothing fancy and some of the gear was donated by firefighters, Germain said. The sound system is a vintage boom box with cassette player and a wood box serves as a jumping platform that Germain hops on and off with ease.

There's a treadmill, an "assault" stationary bicycle, kettle balls, a squat rack, resistance bands and a rowing machine. Cardio strength is measured at different stations and, Germain said, workout time and performance is tracked daily by a company officer. The coaches, he said, will ensure training is effective and safe.

Firefighters will work on strength, flexibility and they've had "yoga in the firehouse," the chief said. There's also an accountability component while the entire 60-person department is on the same path, Germain said.

"These firefighters are under a lot of stress," he said, noting the workouts, coaching and training are aimed to reduce that.

The fire chief said now that the program is mandatory, firefighters who use the firehouse gyms are covered by worker's compensation if they're injured there. Additional cost is no more than other training, he said, while the plan aims to reduce costs related to worker's compensation injuries and disability.

Germain said by gaining strength and staying fit firefighters will be less likely to need joint replacement and mandatory annual physicals will help ensure health problems are caught early and treated.

McQuillen said some firefighters have been going to the firehouse gyms while they're off duty to workout. He said the job of a firefighter is labor intensive and the new wellness program ensures firefighters remain "productive for the city."

Fire Commissioner Dickie Gamester said he likes the part requiring annual physicals because a lot of people put them off or ignore them.

"The results don't come to us, but the proof that they had one does," he said. "We fight the cancer stuff all the time, with all the stuff firefighters are exposed to," Gamester said. "This is something the chief has wanted for years and it's not going to cost the city a dime."

"At the start of the pandemic, this was a busy place," Germain said in the downtown firehouse gym. "We'd meet here at 6 a.m. for a group workout, then go for a run."

He said he, McQuillen and Capt. Rick Condon hold each other accountable for group workouts and the support is sometimes the push someone else needs.

"Billy and I aren't spring chickens anymore," Germain said. "It's important for us to set an example to show how important it is to be in shape at our age."

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