Fire Academy Collaboration with York County, Virginia’s Fitness Ambassador

2021 NACo Achievement Award Winner

York County, Va., VA

About the Program

Category: Personnel Management, Employment and Training (Best in Category)

Year: 2021

Through a successful partnership between the York County Department of Fire and Life Safety and Larry D’Shawn Wright, owner/operator of Body by D Gym, firefighter entry level recruits in training, as part of the Hampton Roads Fire Academy, have improved their physical fitness ability to exceed the standards set forth by the academy. As part of this process, these recruits are trained by Mr. Wright two to three days a week, typically for an hour each morning. The training goes beyond pure physical fitness activities in that it pushes the recruits from a mental perspective, as well. This is critical because every firefighter needs to know their physical and mental limitations and how to continue to work past their desire to quit.