Fire department investing in gym

For many, finding the time and motivation to exercise regularly is a challenge. For first responders, however, physical fitness can be a matter of life and death.

That's why the Clovis Fire Department has been investing in its own gym and some staffers have become certified personal trainers.

The gym at Fire Station 6, located at 21st and Main, began with just a cheap treadmill or maybe a stationary bike, said Lt. Jose Gutierrez, and a few firefighters would bring in their own equipment.

But about three years ago, according to Battalion Chief Chet Chenault, the station opened its very own onsite gym. The CFD decided to use some leftover money from the physical fitness and wellness fund to purchase more workout equipment, according to Gutierrez.

Eventually the department selected a few firefighters to go through the ACE personal trainer certification program. Gutierrez, Chenault and Michael Castello are the station's current trainers, and according to Gutierrez, since becoming certified two years ago the firefighters/trainers have organized fitness classes and helped station employees with eating and workout plans.

"It was just something that we felt like we needed because we have so many young guys in our department that are fresh off the street ... (who) don't come out of a sports background, don't come out of really a workout background," says Castello.

Every six months, CFD firefighters must pass a grueling physical fitness test which is designed to replicate disaster scenarios and physical challenges necessary to save lives, according to Gutierrez. The timed agility course includes dragging a charged fire hose, carrying large fans, pulling weights, sledgehammering targets, carrying dummies, and much, much more.

Donnie Littell, an EMT-B in the Medic division of CFD, began as a "rookie" firefighter with the department about 18 months ago. Although she had experience as a runner, she began training with Castello because she still needed to develop strength specific to firefighting.

"During our sessions we would ... focus on mobility and flexibility to increase our range of motion and control our movements as well as prevent injury," Littell said. "(We did) everything from squats to deadlifts, running, biking, and rowing to sit ups, pushups and pullups."

Littell credited her progress with the ability to be consistent in her training, and other CFD staff said the centrally-located gym helps.

"It's really easy for everyone to get to and it's nice being able to come and work out with people that you know," Chenault said.

The positive outcomes of the evolving gym are recognizable.

"Just from looking at people throughout the department, it was ... obvious that this has made a big change," says Chenault. "Our fire department physician ... made a comment without even knowing about the gym that he could see a huge improvement in the past two years."

Due to COVID restrictions, the gym is currently limited to a five person maximum. Priority is being given to fire station personnel on-duty, says Castello. If the gym is below capacity, the police department also has access to the equipment and services.

The end goal, according to Chenault, is to eventually move the gym to a larger site and make it available for all city employees.