Robins firefighters use boxing to stay fit to fight flames

ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. – Boxing firefighters (back left to right) Lieutenant Jeffrey Spivey, Captain Nicholas Hamilton, Lieutenant Glenn Wright, (front left to right) Lieutenant Hameed Zagadinow, and Fire Inspector Marcus White, at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, gather for a group shot, Jan. 24, 2019. Robins firefighters used boxing in their daily workouts to remain physically fit and build comradery within the stations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tommie Horton)

By Holly Logan-Arrington, Robins Public Affairs / Published February 12, 2019
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --
It was the thrill of the fight that drew a group of Robins firefighters to boxing.

Somewhere between the jabs and uppercuts at a charity boxing event, the group got hooked on the sport and its health benefits.

They’ve been boxing their way to their fitness goals ever since.

Marcus White, Robins Fire Department fire inspector, who headed up the boxing workout effort in 2016, said on any given day, there are a few guys hitting the gym and practicing their moves.

“The three of us that competed in the first year captured the attention of our peers,” he said. “A lot of the guys took a special interest and wanted to be trained. So almost daily there is some sort of training going on in the stations.”

ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Glenn Wright, a lieutenant with the Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, fire department, poses with his champion belt, Jan. 24, 2019, he received for boxing. Robins firefighters used boxing in their daily workouts to remain physically fit and build comradery within the stations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tommie Horton)

As a small group, the firemen started incorporating boxing into their workout, building the group and their routine as years went by.

“Boxing is a skilled sport first, so there is focus that is required to ensure the effectiveness and delivery of your athleticism,” White said. “The mental fortitude required is different from any other style of training. This really is a big help with firefighters when one is faced with a life or death situation.”

White said that same demand helps his fellow firefighters and him in being cognizant and vigilant to get them out of an unfortunate situation.

“Boxing is perhaps the most physically demanding sport of all and at times so is firefighting,” he said. “A lot of cardio, high intensity workouts, interval and strength training is the recipe for fitness. We are very fortunate to have individuals like Hameed Zagadinow and Bo Guinn in the fire station that have a background in boxing. They know what it takes to be in shape for our bouts, and they possess the knowledge base to train us.”

For Capt. Nick Hamilton, Robins Fire Department lead firefighter, firefighting and boxing is a great match, building stamina and strength.     

ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Marcus White, a fire inspector with the Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, fire department, poses with his champion belts, Jan. 24, 2019, he received for boxing. Robins firefighters used boxing in their daily workouts to remain physically fit and build comradery within the stations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tommie Horton)

“It’s a great way to bring the guys together for a great workout in the gym,” he said. “Sometimes it’s easier to get more participation in the gym if it is done in a group setting.”

The 36-year-old father of two said the sport allows him to mix up his workout so he can stay just as sharp mentally as he is physically.

“Running on a treadmill or riding a bike in a gym can be very boring,” he said. “Boxing is a fun way to get your exercise in for the day.”

Lt. Hameed Zagadinow, Robins Fire Department firefighter, who developed his passion for boxing as a young teenager, said boxing tests skills he needs on the job as well as in the ring.

ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Nicholas Hamilton, a captain with the Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, fire department, poses with his belt, Jan. 24, 2019, he received for boxing. Robins firefighters used boxing in their daily workouts to remain physically fit and build comradery within the stations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tommie Horton)

“Boxing correlates to firefighting with the intense cardiovascular training, reacting and responding in intense situations, and keeping a level frame of mind when you are physically exerted,” he said. “The part I enjoy the most is the additional teamwork fostered between fellow firefighters and holding each other accountable to maintain and exceed our physical fitness requirements.”

Zagadinow said he enjoys boxing for its cardio and stress relieving benefits.

“I think more people should do this type of training because it’s different,” he said. “You learn self-defense and 30 minutes is comparable to an hour of regular working out.”

ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Jeffrey Spivey, a lieutenant with the Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, fire department, poses with his belt, Jan. 24, 2019, he received for boxing. Robins firefighters used boxing in their daily workouts to remain physically fit and build comradery within the stations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tommie Horton)

White said the group plans to continue building on their boxing workouts and may even toss their fireman’s hats in the ring to compete in the sport.

“For us that compete, we will continue doing so,” he said. “Every year, someone different is inspired to step up and represent the department. For those that just want to use the training to stay in shape, we will continue to push and motivate each other around the firehouse. With every session, we will reach our peak and come out of the training a little stronger, a little faster, and a little smarter than how we entered it.”

ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Hameed Zagadinow, a lieutenant with the Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, fire department, poses with his champion belt, Jan. 24, 2019, he received for boxing. Robins firefighters used boxing in their daily workouts to remain physically fit and build comradery within the stations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tommie Horton

Domestic Operations disaster-response training PATRIOT South 2019

SAVANNAH, GA, UNITED STATES
03.03.2019
Video by Staff Sgt. Kenneth Brown
177th Fighter Wing – NJ Air National Guard 

Welcome to PATRIOT South 2019, here is a preview of the things our Airmen will be training on during this exercise.

U.S. Army Firefighters train in Romania

MIHAIL KOGALNICEANU, ROMANIA
03.01.2019
Photo by Spc. William Dickinson
24th Theater Public Affairs Support Element 

U.S. Army National Guard Soldiers with the 246th Engineer Detachment, Connecticut National Guard, practice removing a U.S. Army Soldier with 3rd Assault Helicopter Battalion, 1st Aviation Regiment, 1st Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, from a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter during a training exercise at Mihail Kogălniceanu, Romania, March 1, 2019. Regionally allocated forces regularly conduct training with partners and allies to maintain readiness and to continue integrated training at future exercises. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. William Dickinson).

Army National Guard Spc. Rob Magleora, a Firefighter with the 256 Engineer Detachment, Connecticut National Guard, evacuates a pilot from a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter during a training event at Mihail Kogălniceanu, Romania, March 1, 2019. Regionally allocated forces regularly conduct training with partners and allies to maintain readiness and to continue integrated training at future exercises. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. William Dickinson).

Ramstein exercise

RAMSTEIN, RP, GERMANY

02.27.2019

Photo by Senior Airman Devin Rumbaugh 

86th Airlift Wing/Public Affairs  

86th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighters carry simulated aircraft crash victims to a safe location during Exercise Operation Varsity 19-01 on Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Feb. 27, 2019. 86th CES firefighters provided assistance to the simulated victims until medical services arrived. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Devin M. Rumbaugh)

U.S. Air Force first responders assess the scene of a simulated aircraft crash during Exercise Operation Varsity 19-01 on Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Feb. 27, 2019. 86th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighters responded immediately to the scene to exercise their response capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Devin M. Rumbaugh)

An 86th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter helps a simulated aircraft crash victim during Exercise Operation Varsity 19-01 on Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Feb. 27, 2019. Ramstein first-responders were tested on their ability to respond to a large-scale disaster. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Devin M. Rumbaugh)

86th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighters carry a simulated aircraft crash victim to an ambulance during Exercise Operation Varsity 19-01 on Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Feb. 27, 2019. 86th CES firefighters also provided support to medical personnel during the exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Devin M. Rumbaugh)

MCAS Beaufort SC ARFF Marines

Beaufort, SC, UNITED STATES
02.22.2019 at 17:00Hrs
MCAS Beaufort SC

MCAS Beaufort SC Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Marines stop to assist a Trooper and extinguished a brush fire while on a convoy from MCAS Beaufort to MCRD Parris Island. ARFF Marines had seen a Trooper on the side of Trask Parkway trying to extinguish a brush fire with a portable ABC extinguisher with no luck and pulled over to assist with an FSS HMWVV.