Youngstown spends on firefighters’ exercise equipment.

YOUNGSTOWN — Not wanting firefighters to get out of shape or be more susceptible to injury, the city’s board of control today approved the purchase of an elliptical exercise machine for the downtown station.

It is the first in what will eventually be the purchase of a new exercise machine for the city’s eight fire departments.

Facing a deficit of about $1.15 million and employee layoffs, the city is spending $3,202.50 on the machine.

“They spend 24 hours on duty; do you want them sitting around or staying healthy?” Mayor Jay Williams said defending the purchase. “If it was a flat screen TV or a Wii [video game console] I can see an issue.”

Each fire station has exercise areas with free weights and exercise machines, Fire Chief John J. O’Neill Jr. But some of the equipment, all at least 10 years old, needs to be replaced.

“We need to have the firefighters in the best shape they can be in,” O’Neill said. “Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of firefighters because of exposure to carbon monoxide. Exercise obviously improves cardiovascular health.”

The firefighters aren’t required to use the exercise equipment, but most do, said O’Neill and David Cook, the firefighters union president.

For the complete story, read Friday’s Vindicator or Vindy.com