FORT JACKSON, S.C. (Nov. 6, 2014) -- A Fort Jackson firefighter recently completed an advanced fitness course usually reserved for Soldiers.
In October, firefighter/EMT Shaun Payne completed the Master Fitness Trainer Course, a program designed to provide the Army with advisers equipped with a sound understanding of military fitness standards. Participants in the course, which is typically open to active and reserve Soldiers, must meet a set of criteria before being accepted into the program.
In order to be eligible, Soldiers also must be recommended by their battalion commanders and meet Army height and weight standards. Staff sergeants, sergeants first class and second lieutenants through captains are given priority admittance status.
"We've been looking for a couple of years now to send firefighters to a peer trainer course, only to find out that the Army's best are trained right here," said Eric Harper, Fort Jackson fire chief.
As with Soldiers taking part in the program, Payne is expected to bring his physical fitness expertise back to the fire station to share with his co-workers.
"The Army is really interested in 'training as you fight,' which is kind of how we do things here (at the fire station)," said Payne, a former Air Force firefighter.
Payne summed up the fitness philosophy taught in the program.
"Do things that are conditional to how you do things in the field," he said. "And (the trainers) want you to stay away from injury and be healthy so you can continue to perform your duties."
The Master Fitness Trainer Course is divided between classroom instruction and work conducted on the physical training field. The course targets the wide range of age and fitness levels found among Soldiers. And, because Soldiers deployed around the world cannot always count on having access to dedicated fitness centers, the program is structured to create a physical fitness regimen that can be conducted with a minimum of space and equipment.
Harper said that translates well to how firefighters operate.
"We're strengthening our bodies for the job set we perform, which is incredibly important," Harper said. "Payne is going to help us meet that goal. In the future, other firefighters will attend this course. We're protecting those who protect us."
"It was a good experience," Payne said. "(The trainers and participants) acted like I was one of the guys and didn't treat me any different. And I was able to get some good information ... some of it is specifically for the Army, but there are some similarities in how we do things."
Harper said administrators of the post's Master Fitness Trainer Course have also offered to tailor a future program specifically for the needs of firefighters.
"They've agreed to assess our core competences and help us develop exercises programs to make us better able to do our jobs -- whether it's pulling hoses or climbing ladders," Harper said. "Payne is going to be working with his peers to train us and strengthen us."
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