Physical fitness a top priority for Wilmington firefighters

Wilmington firefighters are trying to get into a little better physical shape. This week all city firefighters are taking a physical fitness test that uses firefighting techniques like carrying a person, moving hoses and raising a ladder.

The tests have been required for new members of the department, but now they are required for every uniformed firefighter; all the way up to the chief himself.

Wilmington Fire Chief Buddy Martinette said, “I think at the end of the day it’s about us making sure that every firefighter that you see in the uniform have the ability to perform the job, and we want to make sure the public’s getting a good service in that regard.”

The department plans to make this an annual event to help maintain physical fitness and see how each firefighter compares from year to year.