First responders models of physical fitness Published Aug. 4, 2008 By Corey Dahl 21st Space Wing Public Affairs PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Millions of people will tune in to the Beijing Olympics this month to watch elite athletes set a new gold-standard for their sports. On Peterson, we have similar paragons of physical fitness - we call them first responders. Being 'fit to fight' is a top priority for members of the 21st Security Forces Squadron and Peterson's fire department, where physical fitness can make or break the mission. Members of these units realize that staying at the top of their game isn't just about looking good; it's about keeping themselves and others safe. "Being fit, for us, has to be a lifestyle," said Master Sgt. Mike Moreno, 21st SFS superintendent of police services. "It's not just compliance." Fire and security forces Airmen often go above and beyond when it comes to physical training requirements. In addition to three, one-and-a-half hour workouts a week during their shifts, they usually spend some of their off-duty hours exercising, too. Members of the fire department can often be found tackling what's known by locals as the Manitou Incline, mountain biking, swimming or running on their days off, said Tech Sgt. Jerry Reynolds, a physical training leader with the fire department. "We all take this pretty seriously," Sergeant Reynolds said. "All of us are pretty active in our off-time. It's not just the three days a week." It's time well spent. First responders put their lives on the line daily, but those who slack off when it comes to physical training are often upping the risk. Firefighters, for example, are more likely to die from a heart attack on the job than any other cause. "If we get a call in the middle of the night and we're sleeping, we have to hop out of bed and start running," Sergeant Reynolds said. "If you're not physically prepared to do that, it can be dangerous. We don't want to be the victim. We're there to save other people, not ourselves." For security forces personnel, staying fit makes just about any duty easier - whether chasing a suspect on foot or just standing on a gate for 12 hours, members said. Often, fitter security forces members elicit more respect and compliance from the people they apprehend, too. "There is an absolute difference in demeanor when dealing with a witness or subject who comes into contact with a fit Security Forces figure as opposed to the typical community perception of a 10-donut-eating patrolman, who may not fit so well in their uniform," Sergeant Moreno said. First responders agree that the need for physical fitness multiplies when deployed. Intense heat, demanding duties and a faster operations tempo combine to stress the body, and deployers are often at risk for dehydration, heat exhaustion and fatigue. Physically-fit Airmen can better handle those stressors, Sergeant Moreno said, and focus on their job instead. "Being fit facilitates our ability to handle stress, meet high ops tempo and mission requirements," he said. "The better cardiovascular shape you are in, the more accurate you can shoot in a stressful situation." Whether in a deployed environment or at home, though, first responders agreed that it's their duty, as Airmen, to stay physically fit so they can ensure the safety of their team and complete their missions. "When you don't take care of yourself, you let the Airman next to you down," said Staff Sgt. Jordan Freeman, 21st SFS non-commissioned officer in charge of anti-terrorism. "We must stay true to our creed, 'I will never falter, and I will not fail.'"