Exercise 2. Read the text. Exercise 1. Learn the following words and word-combinations

Exercise 1. Learn the following words and word-combinations.

Text D Firefighter and Physical Fitness

agility – быстрота, проворство

benefit – помогать, приносить пользу

capable of – способный на что-либо

endurance – выносливость

flexibility – гибкость

heat exhaustion – тепловой удар

in top physical shape – в отличной физической форме

overexertion – чрезмерное напряжение

physically demanding job – работа, требующая физических усилий

requirements – требования

sprain – растяжение связок, сустава

strenuous – энергичный, активный

take toll – нанести вред, урон

tilt – наклонять; поворачивать

vigor – сила, энергия

warm-up exercises – разминка, подготовка

Firefighting is one of the most physically demanding and dangerous of all professions. Firefighters must be in good physical condition so that they are capable of handling these extreme demands. Firefighters need strength to perform such tasks as rescue victims, place ladders, handle hoselines, and force entry with heavy tools. Aerobic endurance is required to move rapidly down hallways, climb ladders, or fight fires on steep hillsides. Flexibility is needed to reach for equipment, tilt a ladder, and move a victim onto a ladder. Firefighters must perform these activities with little or no warm-up exercises and with 18 or more kg of protective equipment. In addition, these difficult activities must often be performed in hot, cold, or humid atmospheres filled with smoke and deadly gases.

Based on these job demands, it is obvious why such a large percentage of firefighter deaths are caused by heart attacks. Such activity places extreme stress on the body, especially the heart. Firefighters must be physically and mentally prepared for the job, or this stress will take its toll. Healthy, physically fit firefighters are able to perform their duties better, longer, and more safely than unfit firefighters.

The job requirements for firefighters in the fire service are nearly unlimited. Firefighters must be able to do many things, quickly and with little error. At a fire scene, the tasks that need be accomplished require quick thinking, agility, skill, and speed. The only way that these can be done effectively is if firefighters have the physical ability to perform them. This is why physical conditioning is so important. It is vital that firefighters be in top physical shape, both for individual safety and that of others.

Medical and physical requirements are usually high to gain entrance to a fire department. Recruits are selected and then put through strenuous training in basic firefighter school. After the initial period, however, most departments decrease their physical condition requirements. While experience can compensate to a degree for the vigor of youth, there is no excuse for older firefighters to be in poor condition. Lack of fitness endangers the individual, makes the duties more difficult, and decreases the chance of success. Fire apparatus benefits by preventive maintenance in longer life and fewer breakdowns. Why should not firefighters, the fire department’s most valuable and most expensive resource, have the benefit of the same maintenance as horsepower?

Some of the most common injuries to firefighters are overexertion, sprains and strains, falls, burns, and heat exhaustion. These are prevented only by a daily exercise program that develops the heart, muscles, and lungs. Exercise is the best method known to minimize firefighter risk while not reducing efficiency.

Exercise 3. Answer the questions:

1. Why must firefighters be in good physical condition?

2. What are the most physically demanding tasks at a fire scene?

3. What is aerobic endurance required for?

4. What kind of atmospheres are firefighters often exposed to?

5. Why is the heart the most vulnerable?

6. What do the tasks at a fire scene require?

7. Are medical and physical requirements to gain entrance to a fire department high or low?

8. Why do you think most departments decrease their physical condition requirements?

9. What can lack of fitness result in?

10. What are the most common injuries to firefighters?

11. How can these injuries be prevented?

12. Do you agree that exercise minimizes risk at a fire scene?

Exercise 2. Match Part I and Part II:

Part I 1. Flexibility is needed 2. A lot of firefighter deaths 3. Rescuers must be physically and mentally 4. Healthy and physically fit personnel 5. They must be able to do many things 6. It is vital that firefighters 7. Lack of physical fitness 8. The most common injuries are 9. Injuries are prevented by 10. Exercise minimizes

Part II a) a daily exercise program. b) to reach for equipment, tilt a ladder, and move a victim onto a ladder. c) firefighter risk. d) prepared for the job. e) decreases the chance of success. f) be in top physical shape both for individual safety and that of others. g) quickly and with little error. h) perform their duties better, longer and more safely. i) overexertion, sprains and strains, falls and burns. j) are caused by heart attacks.

Дата добавления: 2014-12-27