Course Aims to Help Improve Firefighters’ Fitness In an effort to help curb preventable deaths and injuries, The Cooper Institute will present its Fire Service Fitness Specialist Course for the second time this June to Dallas Fire-Rescue firefighters. Due to recent trends among firefighters, the course is expected to draw attention nationwide. An estimated 80,100 U.S. firefighters were injured in the line of duty in 2005, an increase of 5.6 percent from 2004, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Between 1994 and 2004, 1,144 firefighter deaths were reported to the U.S. Fire Administration; 449 deaths were due to heart disease. In February, 29 Dallas firefighters took the five-day course; and another group will learn the necessary training in fitness leadership and technical skills by the end of June. In addition to education on anatomy, resistance and cardiovascular training, and nutrition, the participants learn specifics on lower-back health. They also undergo fitness assessments and medical screenings. Kenneth Cooper, M.D., M.P.H., founder and chairman of The Cooper Institute, presented a dynamic lecture to both groups on “21st Century Medicine.” “It has always been important for us to make the most up-to-date fitness information available to our firefighters,” said Lt. Joel Lavender, Dallas Fire-Rescue. “The Cooper Institute’s reputation in providing quality education in fitness training makes them a logical partner for us.” “I have never attended a training session which held my attention or taught me as much as this class did,” said Norman Seals, Dallas Fire-Rescue wellness/fitness coordinator.“ The course material was extremely informative, and I have heard other class members rave about the quality of this course.” There are approximately 1,500 firefighters in Dallas. The course participants will pass on their knowledge to their colleagues, using a “train the trainer” model. “Our goal is to build on our expertise in servicing law enforcement and military fitness leaders to specifically address hazards and fitness issues affecting the fire service community,” said Roger Reynolds, director of contract relations at The Cooper Institute. Fire service departments wanting more information about this course may contact Ashley Martin at (800) 635-7050.