Plano, Texas Firefighters Face New Fitness Standards

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Plano, Texas is a suburban city of Dallas, TX. They are know for being quite progressive. I believe that firefighters should be physically fit, but if they're unfit to perform their duties, they should NOT be fired if they try and comply with the standards. HOWEVER, I think all new firefighters hired should have to maintain certain physical fitness standards throughout their career.

Here in Texas, they take firefighter health very seriously, and many other cities have strict physical fitness standards for all aspects of emergency services, not to mention the rest of the city workforce. New initiatives are always being rolled out to promote firefighter health and safety. Heck, some even some dispatch centers and EMS stations have full gyms.

Texas Firefighters Face New Fitness Standards

05-18-2009

THEODORE KIM

The Dallas Morning News

No strangers to peril or toil, Plano's firefighters have met their match: their waistlines.

Concerned about the health of his ranks, Plano Fire Chief Hugo Esparza wants the department's least-fit members to shape up or face reassignment, even termination.

But the new standards, which include gauging a firefighter's body fat, have put the city at odds with its powerful firefighters union. The biggest donor to City Hall campaigns, the union supports the goal, but believes some of the rules are onerous.

FULL STORY:

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dw...n1.4c629cb.html