Seven firefighters attended a functional fitness program led by training coordinator and Past Chief Ray Stackhouse at the Central Station last night. The training was aptly named "Deck of Death" as the specific exercise was dictated by a card drawn from a deck of playing cards with Hearts = Push-ups, Spades = Mountain Climbers, Clubs = Walking Lunges, Diamonds = Sqts. The specific reps were dictated by the card value. For example: a Six of Hearts was six push-ups. Members formed a circle and a card was drawn as it was their turn. The turns came fast enough that there was little very rest, and heart rates remained high.

Any Aces drawn caused the group to do an exercise together.

The work-out was completed in Turn-out Gear (TOG) that added about 45 lbs. Chief Gathercole attended and fully participated. Looks like he did very well from what the observers could tell!

The last round was ended early because KVFD was dispatched to two accident calls, with the later involving these members doing some true to life functional fitness: hauling cribbing, a Hurst tool, and other equipment; and doing a victim extrication from a heavily damaged vehicle. All while carefully walking on a roadway covered in ice, and avoiding hazards typical at a crash scene.

See this post on our Facebook page for some comments by the participants.