Winners of the Healthiest Fire Department Challenge Announced

Grahamsville Fire Department was presented with the 1st place award.

Announcement and Awards Presented at the Fireman’s Parade 

[LIBERTY] Winners of The Sullivan 180 Healthiest Fire Department Challenge were announced at the 94th Annual Sullivan County Volunteer Fireman’s Parade on Saturday.

Securing first place with a total of 408 points, Grahamsville Fire Department will receive a grant in the amount of $15,000. Grahamsville trained in Suicide Prevention; had 89 Meal Replacements; 135 Physical Activities; 142 Health presentations; 6 Community Collaborations

Taking second place with a total of 294 points, Jeffersonville Fire Department will receive a grant in the amount of $10,000.  Jeffersonville trained in life saving Narcan and suicide prevention as well as 34 health webinars; 49 healthy meals; 28 physical activities; 78 health presentations and 4 community collaborations.

Both grants were presented and made possible by Aileen Gunther.

Additionally, “Turtle Awards” in the amount of $500 were given to three fire departments to recognize their work in specific areas related to Encouraging Healthy Behaviors and building a culture of health. The categories include Mental Health Programming, Improved Nutrition, Increased Physical Activity and Community Collaboration. The departments being recognized with Turtle Awards also placed with overall points.  The awards were announced at the parade and will be delivered to individual departments over the coming months.

With overall points of 189; and in recognition of their work to bring mental health programming to their fire house; their efforts to improve nutrition and increase physical activity, as well as their outstanding community collaboration, spirit and creativity, Lake Huntington Fire Department received five Turtle Awards.

With overall points of 172; and in recognition of their efforts in the area of mental health programming, improving nutrition, and increasing physical activity, Kauneonga Lake Fire Department received three Turtle Awards. 

With overall points of 124; and in recognition of their work to improve nutrition; increase physical activity and engage their families and the extended community Wurtsboro Fire Department received three Turtle Awards. 

Since January when the challenge kicked off, 17 departments have engaged in activities (challenges) to enhance the physical and mental health of their members. Departments received credit in the form of “turtle points” for each health focused activity they completed. The challenges were meant to be easy and attainable but impactful. Activities ranged from serving healthier meals during drill and meeting nights; joining as a department family and hiking or walking local trails; attending health related seminars and becoming trained in suicide prevention.  There were event water consumption and weight loss challenges.

Healthiest Fire Department Turtle Award sponsors included: Hudson Valley Gives; Liberty and Monticello Rotary; New Hope Community; NYSEG; Prestige Towing; Resorts World Catskills; Schmidt’s Wholesale; Schmidt’s Rentals; Sullivan Fire Protection; Thompson Sanitation and the Zufall Family.