Police Chief Launches Fitness Program

Cops and doughnuts are the eternal punch line.

But keeping in shape is no laughing matter for first responders.

Both firefighters and law enforcement have jobs that go from humdrum to life-or-death in a matter of minutes. Staying in peak physical condition is the best way to handle those situations, experts say.

To that end, the Brooksville Police Department is launching a new program that tests the strength of new recruits and challenges current officers to adopt healthy lifestyles.

"Most people want to stay in shape, but in a normal routine, things get pushed off to the side," Chief George Turner said Tuesday.

Only new hires are required to take the test, which includes sprinting 440 yards, an obstacle course and dragging a 175-pound dummy to safety. Current officers don't have to take the test, but Turner is considering certain incentives to prod them along.

Among his ideas is a physical fitness lapel pin or an extra day or two of vacation time.

The police department is also considering a nutrition and diet program.

The Citrus County Sheriff's Office started a voluntary fitness program last fall. When that didn't appear to be working, the program became mandatory on April 1.

When sheriff's deputies began the first round of quarterly tests, seven were injured on the course and two others discovered medical issues, said spokeswoman Gail Tierney. Tierney couldn't get into specifics about those injuries because of privacy laws, but she said one deputy has been medically cleared and the others remain on light duty assignments.

Deputies who failure to pass the half-mile test in under 8 1/2 minutes get 30 days to train and try again. If they fail again, Sheriff Jeff Dawsy "feels perhaps they should be deputies somewhere else," a press release states.

Tierney clarified that to mean deputies would be removed from positions of authority and placed in the mail room or property and evidence. She wasn't sure if deputies got another chance later to rejoin the sworn force.

The Hernando County Sheriff's Office does not require a physical test either upon hiring or during the course of employment. Sgt. Jim Powers said an onsite gym is available 24/7 to encourage working out.

He added that annual weapons qualifying courses require running and jumping walls in addition to testing marksman skills.

To be fair, it's tough for cops to stay in shape, says Stew Smith, a former Navy SEAL and now a personal trainer for the military and first responders.

Most deputies don't want to pump iron or jog on the treadmill for an hour after finishing a 12-hour shift.

In Smith's opinion, first responders are "tactical athletes" and should train accordingly with a workout regimen somewhere in between a soccer and football player's.

Their job is often filled with long periods of inactivity broken up by sudden sprints. To compensate, first responders need rest, proper diet and daily exercise of some sort, even if it's just stretching.

"You should be able to react ... and not hurt yourself," Smith said.

Firefighters share the stress and adrenaline dumps, but their job is physically demanding in a different way. Consider that a firefighter's full ensemble of bunker gear, helmet and oxygen tank can weigh between 75 and 100 pounds.

While dressed in their getup, they're lugging around heavy tools, climbing ladders and wielding power tools. The reason they drag the hoses is because a single gallon of water weighs 8.43 pounds. Plus, the hose is jerking around as the water shoots out at 100 pounds per square inch of pressure.

Both the county and Spring Hill fire departments conduct annual agility tests to gauge the physical preparedness of their work force. Brooksville tests its firefighters once upon hiring.

The tests have a time limit for a firefighter to complete the obstacle course, but there are no sanctions if the time isn't met. Its purpose is to highlight areas the firefighter can improve, said Spring Hill Interim Chief Mike Rampino.

He adds that the public shouldn't always underestimate the ability of a firefighter who looks overweight.

"You can't judge a book by its cover," Rampino said.

Getting physical

New hires of the Brooksville Police Department have to pass a physical fitness patterned after the national benchmarks set out by the Cooper Institute. The course is laid out at McKeethan Park behind the police station on Veterans Avenue.

Here's how it goes:

Start in vehicle with the seat belt on and hands on the wheel.

1. Exit vehicle and run to trunk. Remove handgun and close trunk.

2. Place gun on front hood.

3. Run 110 yards to marked locater and return to obstacle course (220 yards total).

4. Complete in the following order:

Low crawl under three sections.

Do one pull-up.

Do five dips and five push-ups.

Go over slanted wall.

5. Run to 175-pound dummy and drag 100 feet across marker.

6. Repeat step 4.

7. Run 110 yards back to marker and return 110 yards (220 yards).

8. Dry fire six rounds each hand.

9. Return gun to trunk, close trunk.

10. Return to vehicle, put your seat belt on.