By Blanca Cantu
The Dallas Morning News
DALLAS — Sammy Williams admits he has been overweight — 290 pounds at his heaviest.
“I’ve gained and lost the equivalent of six or seven grown men in my lifetime,” the Dallas firefighter says.
Now weighing in at 230 pounds, he is a “reformed fat man,” fellow firefighter Paul Walukas said.
Because Mr. Williams, 44, is feeling healthier, it didn’t surprise him when he received a superior ranking in Dallas Fire-Rescue’s new mandatory health screening, which started in March.
Despite the rigors of his job, Mr. Williams hadn’t had a physical since he joined the department 23 years ago. The department’s testing revealed that though he had no urgent health problems, he needed treatment for high cholesterol.
In cases such as Mr. Williams’, in which a medical issue doesn’t limit one’s ability to work emergency operations, the program allows firefighters 45 days to consult a physician to develop a treatment plan. They then must be cleared to return to duty by doctors contracted through Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas.
Chief Training Officer Norman Seals, administrator of the department’s new $1.2 million wellness/fitness program, said doctors are looking mainly for major health problems such as cancer and heart disease, but they are also checking for high blood pressure and cholesterol.
The program is designed to find such problems at an early stage, he said.
It “promotes a healthier, more fit firefighter who is able to do their jobs for the citizens,” Chief Seals said. “The better shape we’re in, the better we can serve the citizens and the city.”
Although less than 10 percent of the 1,600 emergency responders have been screened so far, the program has inspired a renewed sense of competition.
“Firefighters are real competitive,” Mr. Williams said. “Workouts have become real intense because they want to do well on the physical.”
Capt. Jack Martin said that most younger firefighters don’t get regular physicals and that some don’t continue their workout regimen over the years as they should.
Perhaps that’s why some firefighters are resisting the new wellness mandate, Mr. Williams said. Some don’t want the fire department to know about potential medical problems because they are worried they’ll be forced into desk jobs.
“It may end some guys’ careers,” Mr. Williams said. “That may be the only downside to it.”
Chief Seals said that desk assignments wouldn’t be ruled out but that sick time could be used until medical issues are resolved.
Citing confidentiality, he said he couldn’t elaborate on what types of medical conditions have been found during the initial screenings.
Officials intend for the program to become a permanent benefit for firefighters. They also hope to make the screenings accessible to all Fire-Rescue employees.
Dallas Fire Chief Eddie Burns said the mayor, city manager and the City Council should be commended for deciding to fund a program he has made a priority.
“A more fit firefighter is going to be a safer firefighter,” he said. “It’s going to change how we do business.”
Copyright 2008 The Dallas Morning News