Fueling the Fire

Photo © Damon Wee

I had committed to the idea of becoming a firefighter, but I was 267 pounds. I couldn't fit in my clothes, I could barely climb the single flight of stairs in my house without being winded, and I was definitely not fit for the fire service. If I was going to get serious about serving my community I needed to keep my fire lit with the right fuel.

One of the first things we learned in Fire Academy were the risks to firefighters. According to the U.S. Fire Administration 47.2% of all fatal injuries to firefighters are heart attacks. Fitness plays a major part in the health and life of firefighters and must be taken seriously.

I didn't know how to start my fitness routine. I only knew I needed to exercise and eat right.  My road to fitness began when I won a spot in a radio contest. There were 8 contestants, each given 40 days of weight-loss pre-packaged food and 40 days at a Local Gym with a personal trainer consultation and body analysis. I lost about 35 pounds and won the contest. Sadly, within 6 months, I put on 45 pounds because I had not learned how to eat for myself - which is why I will never support weight loss supplements or packaged food programs. They cost too much, the foods are not good for you, and the programs do not teach you how to feed your body correctly.

One day, I simply could not button my pants. I had also received a speeding ticket with my picture featuring my large posterior that had grown so large that both sides could be seen around the seat-rest of my motorcycle. I also broke my father-in-law's guitar stool. I was done being a fat guy with no purpose.

Thankfully my church class had been raising money for a worthy cause, to help a couple take a healthy eating course called Coronary Health Improvement Program (C.H.I.P.). The couple had declined to use the program and I was asked to accept the scholarship.

I struggled with accepting the scholarship to the program until I realized that my company's Healthy Living Reimbursement Program would pay the difference - essentially making C.H.I.P. free for me. I gratefully accepted and began the road to healthy vegan living. In 12 weeks I dropped 40 pounds and went from pre-diabetic/high blood pressure to normal healthy ranges! If you want to learn how to eat properly, reverse diabetes and heart disease, lose weight and feel healthy then get into a C.H.I.P.! Ask me how!

My training program began with walking. A walk to the front door. A walk around the block. A walk to the store. Then light jogging, half a mile, a full mile. I still felt self-conscious about my weight so when running at my office gym I would wait until everyone was at lunch or had gone back to their desk so no one would see me run. I was embarrassed to run in public or for anyone to see me exercise. At that time I struggled to do 10 sit-ups or 10 push-ups. However, I was resolute with my fitness goal. I worked at it 3 days a week. 10 push-ups, 10 sit-ups, 1 mile. Until it was easy. Then I added more push-ups, more sit-ups, and ran faster. Then I ran farther, faster, and lifted weights. I also added stretching and eventually Yoga. I will tell you Yoga is amazing. The low-impact fitness benefits and natural weight resistance training is really all you need to get yourself in shape - forget the gym membership - do Yoga at home and go far a walk around the block!

After a while I was running a 5k - 3.1 miles, doing 3 sets of 20 push-ups and sit-ups, lifting weights, and doing Yoga on the Wii Fit - and loving it!

After I literally had to have 5 inches cut from my belt I knew I was ready to submit my application for Fire Academy. In order to qualify for the Fire Academy I needed to pass the Candidate Physical Abilities Test.

Next time I'll talk about what it took to get myself ready for the toughest 10 minutes and 20 seconds of my life - the CPAT!

Are you a firefighter? How do you train for the fire service? 

Kindling the Fire

© Marcus Obal

Many people in my life have asked, "Why would you want to be a firefighter?" It comes down to my own fire triangle: Admiration, Safety, and Purpose.

The desire initially began as admiration. As a boy, I had watched a handful of firefighters work at accident scenes and listened intently whenever they came to school to teach us fire safety. They seemed very cool, calm, and collected. Everything they said and did was performed with calculated precision. Their eyes told a story of unwavering commitment to protecting their friends and neighbors. They were true heroes.


My fascination with firefighting kindled when I had children. I heard their stories of excitement when they attended an event each year called, "Safety Town". This event featured law enforcement officers, paramedics, and firefighters. I understood as a parent how knowledge and prevention were the most important keys to my children's safety. When knowledge and safety are not enough we need committed people to rescue us. I wanted to know everything I need to know to protect my family. Was I strong enough to make that sacrifice? I was ready to find out.

Purpose. This was the fuel for my fire. I have always felt that everyone had a purpose in life. That we are all given these opportunities for a reason. I wanted to find out if my purpose in life was to serve my community when they needed me most.

Now that you understand what has kindled my fire you may be interested to know how I went from couch potato to firefighter. Join me in my next installment to find out what it took to light this fire and get myself fit for Fire Academy!

Trial by Fire - Introduction

As a 35 year old, husband, and father of four, my family and I decided I should dedicate myself to the ambitious pursuit of Firefighter! Why? Isn’t everyone enamored by the heroic efforts of our selfless community servants? I know I have always admired the courage, bravery, and skill of firefighters.

I had spent the last year working hard to lose 52 pounds and that’s when the sign for “Paid-On-Call Firefighters Wanted” went up at the station near my home. I felt that I was finally ready to make this dream come true.

However, this is a true commitment of time, energy, talent, wits, and fortitude. Fire Academy is a difficult test of will, strength, and time management. You are called upon to learn Departmental Regulations, Building Construction, Fire Science, Personal Protective Equipment, Ropes and Knots, Search and Rescue, and so much more! Before I could even step foot in class I had to pass the Candidate Physical Abilities Test (CPAT).

Check back each week to read about how Fire Academy heats up, how I trained to get ready, what grueling tasks I’ve endured, skills I’ve learned, and amazing fire knowledge I have to share!
The purpose of this blog is to seek out service information, provide safety tips, share interesting fire science knowledge, and encourage firefighters and their families. So I will end each post with questions and seek your guidance and input.

How do you know if being a firefighter is your calling?