A new gym stocked with cardio equipment and free weights has been created exclusively for the Middletown Fire Department personnel. Located next door to the service’s Main Street station, the 1,100 square foot space is named for the late Capt. Joseph Pagano.
Capt. Pagano, who was with the department for 28 years, died of a heart attack while on duty on November 3rd, 2006. It is hoped the gym will help to ensure the department does not have another such occurrence.
The building where the gym is located belongs to the Salvation Army. The space was donated to the department’s fitness program, which is aimed at improving the general health of its firefighters. On May 5th, the equipment for the gym arrived and, once set up, the fire department staff received training from certified personal trainers. A ribbon cutting to dedicate the gym was held at the end of May.
In addition to fighting infernos, fire departments provide a number of other services designed to protect the public from fires and other dangers. All over the country, they utilize brochure printing services to inform the public about preventing fires, as well as other dangers such as drowning, carbon monoxide poisoning, and prescription drug safety.
Fire fighters encounter a number of dangerous situations in their line of work, but the top cause of death in the line of duty, according to Firefighter Nick Mayo, is that of a cardiac event.
