I am taking The Challenge
by running five 5k’s a week for a year. Check out my Firefighter 5k Challenge
video above!
I know that some of you are
already aware, but for the rest of you I am excited to tell you after lots of
hard work and preparation, I have launched my first non-profit. The non-profit
is called Firefighter 5k Challenge (www.firefighter5kchallenge.org) and is
established to flight against sudden cardiac events among firefighters.
Sudden Cardiac Events (SCE)
are the number one killer of firefighters across America. In 2008 alone, 36
firefighters died from Sudden Cardiac Events. This doesn’t need to happen.
Three-quarters of firefighters who died of heart attacks went to work with
known or detectable heart
conditions, according to a new analysis of firefighter fatalities from 1995 to
2004 by the National Fire Protection Association.
Much emphasis has been placed
on fire ground safety and accountability. However, this is not the number one
cause of fatalities for U.S. firefighters. More emphasis must be placed on
detecting, and preventing the number one cause of firefighter deaths, which is
sudden cardiac death.
There are medical scans
availably today that can identify problems before they become fatal. Lack of
fitness is also one of many factors that causes SCE. The firefighters are not
all to blame though. Due to limited budgets and the current economic condition,
there are many fire departments across America that do not have the budget for
the medical scans, to identify issues, or the fitness equipment necessary to
maintain the fitness level that is demanded of a firefighter.
Firefighter 5k Challenge
is taking action to change that.
We are raising funds for
fitness equipment and preventative medical scans as well as encouraging current
and potential firefighters to take the challenge of getting in shape.
For more information check
out the website at http://www.firefighter5kchallenge.org
