Hermosa Beach Firefighters Join Battle Against Heart Disease

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America's firefighters and emergency services personnel save lives and property as first responders to man-made and natural disasters, but these responders face a great, although often ignored, risk. Every year, more than half of all firefighter deaths are attributed to heart attacks, which is the leading cause of firefighter fatalities. The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC)has designed the Heart-Healthy Firefighter Program to promote fitness, nutrition, and health awareness within America's fire and emergency services. It is the nation's only heart attack prevention program targeted at all firefighters and EMS personnel, both volunteer and career.

The NVFC launched the Heart-Healthy Firefighter Program in 2003 with the release of the Heart-Healthy Firefighter Kit and free cholesterol screenings at fire and emergency service trade shows. The program has since expanded to include the Fired Up for Fitness Challenge, the Heart-Healthy Resource Guide, the Heart-Healthy Firefighter Cookbook, the E-news monthly electronic newsletter, and The Pulse bi-monthly printed newsletter. The Heart-Healthy Firefighter booth travels to fire and emergency service trade shows across the country to offer free health screenings for risk factors including blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose, as well as other features like cooking and fitness demonstrations. www.healthy-firefighter.org.

During National Firefighter Health Week, which was observed the week of August 18 - 22nd, and throughout the year, the NVFC works with fire departments throughout the United States to give firefighters and EMS personnel the information they need to combat heart disease and other first responder health risks. This year during National Firefighter Health Week, FDNNtv.com's Barbara Brooks was priveledged to join the Hermosa Beach Firefighters' Association as they educated their members and other first responders from California on what they can do to prevent heart attacks. FDNNtv.com is happy to share this information with you, as we join the fight to save first responders from this silent killer.