As a fire Chief, I love training with my firefighters. I do not believe you just can sit in an ivory tower and dictate policy. So even in my mid-50s, I love strapping on my bunker gear, air tank and other PPE to engage in live-fire training with my firefighters.…
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By Robert Blaufarb, Director of Health and Wellness – Mamaroneck Fire Department Hypertension (high blood pressure) afflicts over 1 billion people over 25 years old worldwide. This represents 40 percent of the world in this age group. This serious health concern is responsible for over 9 million deaths worldwide. Blood pressure…
Read moreWorking in high temperatures increases the risk of suffering a heart attack, researchers have said. The study may explain why heart disease is the leading cause of death among on-duty firefighters, the researchers from the University of Edinburgh said. Firefighter Simon McNally, who was physically fit, had a heart attack…
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The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation recently brought together fire service leaders, firefighters, researchers, and physicians for a Heart to Heart Conference to address the leading cause of line-of-duty deaths – heart disease. The corresponding white paper has now been released, which includes checklists to help firefighters reduce their risk of…
Read moreAs I sit beside the warmth of the fireplace this evening reflecting on another holiday season, I am amazed that it has been 8 years since major heart surgery ended my firefighting career, but saved my life. I count the many blessings my family and I have enjoyed since that…
Read moreAmong the approximately 1.1 million firefighters in the United States (of whom about 70% are volunteers and 30% are paid career personnel), about 100 die each year in the line of duty. With the exception of 2001, when 344 firefighters died as a result of the events of September 11…
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