By By Lydia Grimes – features reporter
Local Brewton firefighters keep themselves fit by training and using various exercising equipment at the YMCA. Exercising serves two purposes - it makes them healthier and it keeps them busy.
Firefighters have to find ways to occupy their time when they are not out fighting fires. Their work is 12 hours on duty and 24 hours off duty. There are various ways to keep them busy while on active duty. They keep the fire trucks and equipment clean.
This doesn't mean that the community is unprotected while they are using the tread mills and weight lifting equipment. As they run, pull, lift and push, their constant companions are their walkie-talkies. They keep them handy so if a call comes in, they can leave from the Y to put out a fire.
Last week, three of the firefighters were at the YMCA running and lifting. Byrd has been with the Brewton Fire Department for eight years and with the East Brewton Fire Department for a couple of years. Kevin Baggett has been a firefighter in Brewton for three years.
Chris Cain, who is new to the department, began working on Jan. 2. Before joining Brewton firefighters, Cain was attending Auburn University and working at the local fire department at the same time.