Fitness challenge tests students interested in emergency services careers

Eastern Connecticut State University's Career Pathways Program hosted the "Eastern Fitness Challenge" on April 13 in partnership with the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP). The challenge was based on the tests that Connecticut police and fire professionals must pass before being hired.

More than one hundred students participated, including both challenge participants and spectators, according to John Fournier, Career Pathways Program coordinator.

"Our fitness challenge event is intended to highlight the importance of physical fitness in certain careers, like fire, police, emergency medical services, and many others," wrote William Lugo, professor of criminology/sociology and director of Eastern's Career Pathways program. "We are excited to partner with so many state and local agencies."

DESPP representatives were on site to discuss career prospects with students. DESPP includes the Connecticut State Police; the Police Officers Standards and Training Council; Emergency Telecommunications; Fire Prevention and Control; Emergency Management and Homeland Security; and Scientific Services. According to Fournier, all six divisions had a presence at the event.

Students Gabrielle Lemery and Christopher Bryce won the challenge’s dummy, hose, and tool drag, held in conjunction with the Commission on Fire Protection and Control.

Maebel Haynes, a student who attended, spectated, and networked at the challenge but did not participate, described the dummy, hose, and tool drag: “Students participated in parts of the CPAT (Firefighter Candidate Physical Ability Test) including a hose drag, 165-lb dummy drag, and tool carry, all while wearing a 50-lb vest.”

Haynes, who is in the process of becoming an emergency medical technician (EMT) and aspires to earn a master’s degree in emergency management and disaster response, expressed gratitude for opportunities to connect with industry professionals at the challenge, from state police officers and fire instructors to forensics employees.

“They shared the work they do, how you get there, and why they do it,” she wrote. “Learning all of that, I was able to see myself in those kinds of roles.”

Eastern's Career Pathways Program, including the Emergency Services and Public Safety (ESPS) pathway, combines coursework and experiential learning to provide students with real-world experience in in-demand fields and help them build sought-after skills and robust professional networks before graduating.

“The first annual Eastern Fitness Challenge saw a great turnout,” wrote Fournier. “This event is one more tangible way we are linking students to employers, and it was great to see students get excited to learn more about (these careers).”