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This shouldn't be a surprise to anyone here, unless you're in serious denial. http://www.ems1.com/ems-management/articles/817472-Miss-agencies-report-more-responders-flunking-initial-fitness-exam/ May 10, 2010 Miss. agencies report more responders flunking initial fitness exam Overweight and out of shape recruits for police, fire and emergency medical services are presenting increasing problems for agencies in Miss. and around the nation By Chris Joyner USA Today JACKSON, Miss. — When the Jackson Police Department tried to recruit new officers this spring, more than a third of the applicants were not able to pass the initial physical fitness test. The city's police academy's initial fitness exam includes push-ups, a 1 1/2 mile run, an obstacle course and a flexibility test, Deputy Police Chief Gerald Jones said. Mississippi has the highest rate of obesity in the nation, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But Jones said it is not just that recruits are fat. "What we are finding is a decline in overall physical strength," he said. "They can't complete the mile-and-a-half run." Overweight and out of shape recruits for police, fire and emergency medical services are presenting increasing problems for agencies around the nation. *Ronald Smith, chief of the Lawton (Okla.) Police Department, said about 15% of applicants to his department this spring failed an initial agility test, including push-ups, sit-ups and a quarter-mile run. "Used to be nearly 100% passed the agility test," he said. *Capt. Doug Shoemaker of the Jefferson City (Mo.) Police Department said "a noticeable number of people" failed the physical exam in the two most recent tests. "I don't know that I have seen this ... as much as I have now," he said. Last year, the Cambridge Health Alliance and researchers from Harvard University and Boston University found that 77% of fire and emergency medical technician trainees in Massachusetts were either overweight or obese. Harvard School of Public Health professor Stefanos Kales, one of the authors of the report, said no national studies on recruits exist, but in localized studies researchers "consistently find that among police and firefighters, generally three-quarters are overweight and that includes one-third that are obese." The picture may be worse, he said. Some departments have lowered physical strength standards to avoid discrimination lawsuits, he said. "In combination with a less fit pool," he said, "that will end up allowing more obese recruits to successfully join these services." Andrew Nesbit, a vocational public safety teacher at South Paulding High School in Douglasville, Ga., heard the complaint from a local fire official when he asked what he could do to turn out better recruits. This year, Nesbit started his junior and senior students on a physical fitness plan similar to what they would face if they apply to a police or fire academy. "At first they didn't want to do it," he said. "They just don't like exercise. A lot of them don't even enjoy being outdoors." And their diet is "garbage," Nesbit added. Part of the problem, according to Texas Christian University kinesiology professor Deborah Rhea, are cuts in school physical education programs. A report this year from the National Association for Sport and Physical Education found that only five states require physical education for all public school grades and that more than half of the states allow physical education exemptions for students, a 61% increase since 2006. Rhea said education leaders need to get physical education classes back in the schools. "You've got to educate them (about) why they need to be active," she said.

this post sucks without pics of the act at hand... don't tease us like that

My old employer refused to let us even have a treadmill or stationary bike at the station. He said he didn't want people getting hurt. Seriously? Getting hurt? Like standing on the side of the highway in the middle of a snow storm isn't dangerous. They also refused to pay for a corporate gym membership. But then they would complain about people being over weight and out of shape. This all coming from a boss and supervisor whom were the fattest in the company. Personally, I enjoy exercising and feel everyone should do some sort of exercise. It is rewarding and actually makes you feel better, mentally and physically. You do not need to go to a gym, or have a trainer to get into shape. It is very simple. Eating healthier, walking up stairs instead of elevators or escaladors. Taking walks outside with friends or co-workers. Start jogging a little, do sit-ups and push ups... simple people! You can do most of this during commercials of your tv shows you watch for 5hrs at night. edit: only the first paragraph was in response to you Phil, the rest was me rambling.

I'm not new but I'm a fat butt!! 8 years of EMS made me fat!!!!! HEY!! I like them!!!! treadmill?? what is that?? hahahahaha

"77 Percent of new EMS Trainees are Fat Arses!" I resemble that comment, oh sorry I am an OLD FAT ARES"

Two blonde girls were working for the city public works department. One would dig a hole and the other would follow behind her and fill the hole in They worked up one side of the street, then down the other, then moved on to the next street, working furiously all day without rest, one girl digging a hole, the other girl filling it in again. An onlooker was amazed at their hard work, but couldn't understand what they were doing. So he asked the hole digger, 'I'm impressed by the effort you two are putting in to your work, but I don't get it -- why do you dig a hole, only to have your partner follow behind and fill it up again?' The hole digger wiped her brow and sighed, 'Well, I suppose it probably looks odd because we're normally a three-person team. But today the girl who plants the trees called in sick.'

D: Sorry for my delay in getting back to this topic, between work, moms day, chasing turkeys, and this wicked resp. thing I am fighting off, I haven't had much initiative to get back to the "city". As usual, you are asking great questions. Many of which I can't even begin to answer for you (remember my one promise...I will always be willing to say "I don't know") this is one of those issues where "I don't know" is even harder because I don't think the answers are easy to find.

Rich, After doing some research, I came up with the subject of Breatharainism. I think this might be what you were referring to. *DISCLAIMER*:: I am supplying this link for 'informational purposes only', I do NOT endorse, advocate or otherwise support this behavior! Breatharianism

If it turns out to be something bad then the accident may have been a blessing in disguise as it allowed early detection. But do not fret yet as it may be something of no concern. Do not worry about what you have no control of. Worry about stopping smoking, something you do have control of. Hang in there I am sure all are hoping that these findings are invalid.

I always put negotiable

I'm getting toned out for standby, I will be back in a few

Get voting people. Yesterday we had them up to 120 now they are 122.