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| Attendees at FRI enjoyed cooking demonstrations by Chef Kevin Harris at the Heart-Healthy Firefighter booth. |
“In the four years that the Heart-Healthy booth has been going to trade shows, we have screened over 12,000 emergency services personnel and their families,” said Maggie Wilson, NVFC’s Director of Health and Safety. “These screenings really make a difference. One firefighter at FRI told us this program saved his life. He had no idea his blood pressure was dangerously high until he was screened at the Heart-Healthy booth at a trade show last year. As a result of the screening he was able to get to his doctor before any complications arose. Now thanks to a combination of medication and a healthier lifestyle he is successfully managing his blood pressure level.”
In addition to the health screenings, hundreds of attendees stopped by the booth to learn healthy cooking techniques and recipes during a series of cooking demonstrations performed by Chef Kevin Harris of Food For Love, Inc. Harris shared his recipes for Pollo Con Harissa Y Salsa Verde, Quinoa Azteca, and Roasted Onion and Jack Cheese Polenta, inviting the audience to sample the foods after each demonstration. The recipes are available on the Heart-Healthy Firefighter website at www.healthy-firefighter.org.
Heart attack is the leading cause of firefighter deaths. As part of its mission to reduce the number of firefighter and EMS personnel deaths from heart attack, the Heart-Healthy Firefighter Program brings its booth to emergency services trade shows and conferences across the country. Other initiatives of the program include the Heart-Healthy Firefighter Resource Guide, the Fired Up for Fitness Challenge, the Heart-Healthy Firefighter E-News, and a Heart-Healthy Firefighter Cookbook, which will be released later this year. For more information about the NVFC Heart-Healthy Firefighter Program, visit www.healthy-firefighter.org.
