Almost every week, USFA firefighter fatality notices remind us that heart disease and stress-related illnesses are historically the leading causes of firefighter deaths. And every week I wonder why more isn't being done about these health issues.

Well, something is being done. With support from the U.S. Fire Administration, OSHA, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and the National Institute for Science & Technology, every two years the International Association of Fire Fighters holds the Redmond Symposium. The symposium was created in 1971 to promote education in occupational health and safety hazards that directly affect firefighters.

The 17th Redmond Symposium was held in San Francisco this week. More than 1,400 people participated in the five-day event, including a wide range of professionals -- from firefighters and medical researchers to fire chiefs and government safety experts.

There's no doubt this Symposium is a union function, with a great deal of impassioned references to "brotherhood" and "locals," but the message gets through because of that bonding.

Traditional speakers include top IAFF officials, such as General President Harold Schaitberger and General Secretary-Treasurer Vince Bollon. The workshops this year focused on infectious diseases in the fire service, coping with stress, and designing and outfitting exercise facilities for emergency responders. Workshops with an emphasis on safety featured the latest in protective clothing and fire apparatus design. At least one-half of each day offered firefighter physical fitness assessments and bodybuilding.

The health and safety of firefighters has always been a concern of the IAFF, but until I attended the Symposium, I had no idea of the scope of the effort. But I wondered how many fire chiefs were in this crowd. What a difference it might make in those USFA fatality notices if a similar effort were targeted at fire chiefs. Perhaps the International Association of Fire Chiefs could consider a focus on health as part of its conference schedule.

Let's be realistic. Heart and stress-related disease is a national problem. People -- firefighters, corporate executives, even doctors -- will continue to die needlessly from preventable health problems. Technology and research have produced great screening tests and preventive information to help save many lives, but the matter still boils down to individual responsibility. Look out for yourself.

FIRE CHIEF includes a column on fitness in every other issue. Ronny Coleman's article on prostate cancer drew a tremendous response from fire chiefs who had prostate cancer and supported getting the word out about PSA tests. Maybe we should run articles about chief officers who drastically changed their health and how they did it. Would that inspire you?

I'm the last one who should be preaching to others about getting fit. It's my own responsibility to start an exercise program -- yet again. And I will -- as soon as I have the time.

Janet Wilmoth, Editor
jwilmoth@primediabusiness.com