Troy, Ohio -
Located in Miami County in Ohio's heartland, Troy is a friendly welcoming community of 30,000. You will find Miami County as you travel Interstate 75 through Ohio, just minutes North of Downtown Dayton and the Dayton International Airport.

The Miami Valley region (including Troy) has a strong aviation heritage and boasts the historic first flight of Dayton residents Orville and Wilbur Wright. NCR developed the cash register in the area and the electric starter, as well as numerous other automotive components and designs are part of the history of the community. Technology continues to drive the region's economy and the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in nearby Dayton serves as the largest single site employer in Ohio.

One of the more interesting tidbits about Troy is the fact that it was where the first grocery store scanner was used on a UPC barcode. The item sold was a 10-pack of Wrigley's Juicy Fruit Gum in June of 1974 at a Marsh Supermarket. That pack of gum is now on display at the Smithsonian American History Museum in Washington D.C.

To celebrate its place as the center of Ohio's strawberry production, Troy hosts the Strawberry Festival the first weekend of June. The annual event attracts over 250,000 people. The city holds the Guinness Book of World Records for making the world's largest strawberry shortcake.

Troy Fire Department Fills Big Shoes
The Troy Fire Department recently opened its third station this summer. The full-time, paid department serves 32,000 residents (including rural areas) and has 41 personnel. Its service area of 70.6 square miles is the 4th highest in the state of Ohio.

The department has an active Fire Prevention Bureau staffed by three full-time personnel. They stay very busy throughout the year with fire safety inspections and giving fire safety lectures to school-age children and adults. The fire department also provides many non-emergency services such as a 6-week juvenile fire-setter program, car seat safety checks, bike helmet give-a-ways (200 helmets last year), free firehouse tours, and free smoke detectors and installation. Additionally, they host a Better Biker Program for 4th and 5th graders that teaches how to bicycle safely on the road.

Training and Education are Key Focuses
The Troy Fire Department provides many opportunities for its personnel to develop. They provide an Emergency Driver Program every 3 years, provide state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, and all personnel are EMT-Paramedic certified. For 14 years, the city has provided annual physicals for the department. It was originally implemented as a response to a firefighter diagnosed with cancer. In 2005, the department adopted the medical evaluation recommendations of the IAFF/IAFC Wellness-Fitness Initiative. This includes annual physical exams and blood work, treadmill evaluations, muscular fitness testing, flexibility and body composition testing, and a full battery of technical tests to evaluate vision, hearing, lung function, and heart health.

Additionally, the department provides annual cooking classes and educational presentations for its members. According to Assistant Chief Matt Simmons, the department is "taking a proactive approach in regards to preventable disease and death." Fire service research has shown that the majority of fire fighter on-duty deaths are cardiac related and preventable. "Our fire fighters understand that this is for their benefit…and that the benefits far outweigh the costs," continues Simmons. He believes it's important that departments take "baby steps" to create a culture of good health and recommends pursuing grants to provide the seed money to get a program started.

The Troy Fire Department was recently notified that they were recipients of the 2006 (24th round) Assistance to Firefighters Grant ($161,099). Through the diligent grant writing efforts of fire department and City of Troy administration, the department will be able to purchase much needed operations and safety equipment.

Click here for the Troy Fire Department newsletter article.

For more information on the Troy Fire Department, visit online by clicking here.

© 2007 Public Safety Medical Services