First responders emphasize heart health

by Krystal Paco

Guam - With February designated National Heart Month, the Guam Fire Department spent the morning demonstrating to physicians and Governor Eddie Calvo the importance of first responders exemplifying heart health.

GFD Fire Chief Joey San Nicolas says today's skills course included ladder carrying and hoisting, forcible entry, and mimicking pulling a life out of a burning structure. All 10 of the exercises test for functional fitness and muscular and cardiovascular endurance. "Firefighting and everything that we do in the fire department is very physically intensive therefore it requires that our personnel in particular to be at the best of their physical health and to be in shape to be able to respond to all types of emergencies," he told KUAM News.

We should note, heart disease is the leading cause of death on Guam followed by cancer, stroke, and diabetes.