Fire Chief Steve Pigott brings “ Firefighter Fitness “ to New Heights

As any firefighter can tell you, the number one cause of death in the fire service is heart attack. As such, personal fitness is something critical to firefighters and fire departments worldwide. With the goal of encouraging and drawing attention to firefighter fitness programs and honoring those who have given their lives in the fire service, Chief Steve Pigott of the Holly Springs Volunteer Fire Department is climbing mountains to get the message out.
 
On October 14, 2008, Chief Pigott summitted Mt. Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest mountain, in full turnout gear and SCBA, and became the first person ever to do so. And on August 11, 2009, he summitted Mt. Elbrus, Europe's highest mountain, also in turnout gear and SCBA, and also the first ascent of its kind.
 
On the Elbrus climb, however, he was joined by 2 other firefighters who had a similar goal.  Russian firefighters Andrey Leontyev and Michail Osipov had arrived at the mountain unaware of Pigott and his intentions to climb in gear, and only met at base camp the day before attempting to summit.  They departed base camp at approximately the same time early on the morning of August 11, passed each other throughout the day, but arrived together at the same spot roughly 100 meters from the summit.  From there, Pigott and Osipov locked arms and summitted together, and Leontyev summitted shortly thereafter.
 
Chief Pigott has now joined forces with the International Fire Relief Mission to continue spreading the message of firefighter fitness around the world. In addition to the IFRM's mission of bringing much needed gear and training to underequipped fire departments, Pigott will bring a fitness component to the trips. By delivering these three elements to those in need, the hope is that firefighter and civilian safety will be increased throughout the world.

The IFRM is very excited to share Chief Pigott’s material when working with Firefighters around the world. We will continue to follow Chief Pigott, so please check in from time to time and see what’s happening.