Getting Healthy Together
Healthiest Fire Department Challenge
The Sullivan 180 Healthiest Fire Department Challenge focuses on the health and well-being of our county’s firefighters.
Firefighting is both a physically and emotionally demanding job. Firefighters put themselves at risk each time they respond to a call.
According to the Firefighter Cancer Support Network, from the moment the tones drop, a firefighter’s heart rate increases by 47 beats per minute.
The dangerous work, heavy uniforms, and high-risk environment, accompanied by concerns of high blood pressure, heart health, and disturbed sleep patterns, are significant health stressors.
Challenge Leaderboard
Kauneonga Lake
65 Points
Grahamsville
62 Points
Smallwood-Mongaup Valley
37 Points
*Monticello and Roscoe-Rockland, winners of the 2024 challenge, are not competing for the top two awards this year. They are still participating in the challenge and tiered awards.
The Healthiest Fire Department Challenge launches on January 1 and ends on September 1, 2025.
Participating fire departments will engage in activities to enhance their physical and mental health, such as walking a local trail, holding a “drink water” campaign, hosting a Mental Health First Aid training, or incorporating healthy meals at drill nights.
A “Turtle Point” is a credit earned upon completing and submitting an eligible health-focused activity with a minimum of 5 active members participating.
Completing activities and accruing points makes you eligible for grants. The grant level is based on the final points completed by September 1, 2025. The two departments that earn the most turtle points will be eligible for a grant in the amount of $15,000 and $10,000, respectively. Additional grants will be awarded based on a tiered point system. Winners will be announced at the Sullivan County Volunteer Firefighters Parade in Monticello on September 6, 2025.
Interested in joining your local fire department? Email JoinSullivanFire@gmail.com to get started!
2025 Healthiest Fire Department Challenge Captains
Each participating fire department chooses a Challenge Captain. Challenge Captains serve as the liaison between Sullivan 180 and the department. Responsibilities include keeping the department members updated with challenge information, opportunities, and progress; working with fire department members to plan and implement physical and mental health activities; logging and submitting documentation for Turtle Points; and more.
Bloomingburg Fire Department #62: Victoria Arnold & Viktor Gjelaj
Callicoon Center Fire Department #64: Matthew Baldiga
Grahamsville Fire Department #67: Bryce Rogerson & Jaryd Barnum-Budd
Hortonville Fire Department #10: Susan Norton
Jeffersonville Fire Department #12: Camille O’Brien
Kauneonga Lake Fire Department #13: Jill Holland
Liberty Fire Department #17: John Liddle
Livingston Manor Fire Department #18: George Dolce
Lumberland Fire Department #21: Anne Steimle
Monticello Fire Department #22: Alex Bisland & Jose Mora
Narrowsburg/Lava Fire Department #24: Brenton Smith
Rock Hill Fire Department #27: Christopher Filosa
Roscoe-Rockland Fire Department #29: Anthony Morgano
Smallwood-Mongaup Valley Fire Department #30: Rebecca Wood
White Lake Fire Department #35: Brendon Cunningham
Woodbourne Fire Department #37: James Tavormina & Maurice Loucks
Woodridge Fire Department #38: Nolan Akerley
“This challenge is a vehicle for so many things. First and foremost, to incorporate resources into the departments, to build the relationship within the department family, to bring much-deserved attention and recognition to volunteerism for recruitment and retention, and to include their loved ones as so much time is spent selflessly away from home. Volunteers dedicate their lives to serving others, it is time we help them serve themselves.”
For more information, connect with Lindsay Wheat, Sullivan 180 Outreach Program Manager, 3rd generation member & past Vice President of the Monticello Fire Department; and former Commissioner of the Monticello Joint Fire District.
Email | 845-295-2683
What Sullivan County Firefighters Are Saying
“When the fire alarm sounds, your body goes from 0 to 100 in seconds. The fire departments involved in the Sullivan 180 Healthiest Fire Department Challenge are going from 0 to 100 with creative, healthy activities with positive results.”
— John Hauschild, Sullivan County Fire Coordinator
“Each year, nearly 100 American firefighters die in the line of duty. Nearly half of those deaths are potentially avoidable by making lifestyle changes to reduce stress-related illness. I can think of no greater initiative to directly combat firefighter health-related death and injury than wellness programs like the Healthiest Fire Department Challenge.”
— Scott Schulte, Sullivan County Commissioner of Public Safety
“This challenge did exactly what it intended to do: it brought us together as a group, it got our families together and made us get back to the days where we would socialize and spend time together away from drill nights and fire calls.”
– Nate Routledge, Chief, Roscoe-Rockland Fire Department