The National Volunteer Fire Council Heart-Healthy Firefighter Program began its 2007 trade show schedule by conducting health screenings at Fire-Rescue East in Jacksonville, FL, and is now at Firehouse World in San Diego.
Hundreds of firefighters and EMS personnel received free blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose screenings at the Heart-Healthy Firefighter booth and learned how the combination of nutrition, exercise, and health awareness can help prevent heart attack, which is the leading cause of firefighter deaths.
Heart-Healthy Firefighter spokesperson Erron Kinney will also be at the booth to sign autographs and promote the importance of heart-health among the emergency services. Kinney is a tight end for the NFL team Tennessee Titans and a volunteer firefighter. He has served as spokesperson for the Heart-Healthy Firefighter Program since 2005 and will make several appearances with the Heart-Healthy Firefighter booth throughout 2007.
At this event, the Heart-Healthy booth will feature a series of interactive components designed to raise heart-health awareness and keep fire and emergency services personnel heart-healthy. L&T Health and Fitness, an award-winning fitness management and health promotion company, will conduct the health screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose. Chef Kevin Harris of Food for Love, Inc. will perform a series of cooking demonstrations designed to show attendees that heart-healthy cooking does not have to be difficult or bland.
At 6-6, 275 lbs, Kinney is not only one of the team's primary playmakers but also a physical run blocker and pass protector. His blocking skills have helped produce 1,000-yard rushing seasons by Brown in 2004 and Eddie George in 2000, 2002 and 2003. He was originally drafted by the Titans in the third round (68th overall) of the 2000 NFL Draft.
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Kinney has been involved in fire safety since becoming a junior firefighter at the age of 13. He became certified during his sophomore year at Florida, and during his senior year, he was credited with saving a fellow firefighter???s life during a boat plant fire in Archer, Fla. In January 2006, he was promoted to lieutenant in the Williamson County Rescue Squad, Station 22, in Grassland, Tenn. He is also a deputy chief for the Shady Grove Fire Department in Hickman County, Tenn., which he helps primarily through both fundraising and research projects designed to update the department???s equipment. As a NFL player, Kinney is permitted to fulfill virtually all responsibilities of a firefighter with the exception of entering burning buildings. In 2005, he was named spokesperson for the National Volunteer Fire Council???s Heart Healthy Firefighter Campaign to raise awareness that heart failure is the leading cause of death among firefighters. In April 2006, he spoke at a congressional dinner in Washington, D.C., on the subject. He is the spokesperson for Fire Safe Tennessee, an initiative to reduce fire deaths. He has been appointed by Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen to sit on the State Fire Commission, which sets standards and policies for firefighting in Tennessee. During the 2005 and 2006 offseasons, Kinney ran a youth football camp at Lipscomb University in Nashville with the help of teammate Drew Bennett. COLLEGE: Four-year letterman at tight end for Gators who caught 39 passes for 507 yards and five touchdowns in his career. Totaled 16 receptions for 226 yards and one touchdown as a senior. Earned SEC Academic Honor Roll honors. Majored in elementary education. PERSONAL: Married to Julie (5/26/01), the couple resides in Nashville with daughters, Ceanna (11/4/01) and Trinity (5/16/06), and son, Elijah (10/3/03). At Patrick Henry High School (Ashland,Va.), named All-American by Super Prep, which also named him one of the top 15 tight ends in the nation and the number two prospect in Virginia. Named first-team All-State and led his team to the state???s Division 5 state title, posting 35 catches for 784 yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior as well as being named to the Virginia East-West All-Star Game. Was an honor roll student and the sports editor of high school school newspaper.
