Fasken Oil and Ranch, Ltd. will present a donation to the Midland Fire Department on June 17 for updates to a fitness center for firefighters at Station 9.
The ceremony will take place at 3 p.m. at the Central Fire Station located at 1500 W. Wall St., where company officials will present $75,000 to the department. The new exercise equipment will help Midland firefighters maintain fitness standards that were created by the department in 2014 in an effort to maintain fitness levels among employees.
Approximately 90 percent of on-duty deaths of firefighters are due to cardiovascular accidents, such as a heart attack or stroke. This has been attributed to not only the physical nature of the job, but also the stress that comes with the job and can result in making unhealthy decisions on and off the job.
“Regular fitness activity doesn’t guarantee the firefighter can fight fire better, stronger, and faster; but reduces the risk of an individual firefighter becoming a liability on the fire ground. It reduces injuries, increases strength, and fosters alert minds,” said Assistant Fire Chief Michael Cota. “A healthy workforce contributes to providing a high-quality service to our citizens and creates competition and camaraderie amongst our members.”
###Media Contact: Public Information Officer Sara Bustilloz