By Firefighter John Apostolakes Greenfield Township Volunteer Fire Company

It wasn't on the fire ground or an accident, or even on the dangerous interstate highway-there were no warning signs-just a physical that the fire station requires. The chief is always asking if everyone went for his or her physical; and the answer is normally, "yes" or "I have an appointment." I was one of the lucky ones.

I have been a volunteer firefighter for Greenfield Township Volunteer Fire Company for three years. Greenfield is a small town in northeastern Pennsylvania with a population just over 2,400. The coverage area is about 32 square miles including a small section of Interstate 81. The department has approximately 30 active members.

I am one who procrastinates as long as possible when it comes to doctor visits or physicals. I have always felt fine; I normally do what I do with the fire company; with no physical signs, no worries about going to see the doctor. I am probably like most people; I do not like seeing the doctor-but mostly, I am afraid of test results.

All my life I played sports. I was very active in ice hockey and I always felt like a 27-year old. I am 47 years old now and I have always thought myself to be in pretty good shape, so I asked myself "what do I have to lose by going to see the doctor?" I went to see my family doctor, who ordered a blood test and everything looked good. Two days later, the doctor called and wanted to see me again. I thought, "Okay, I must have snuck in a snack during my fast before the blood test." Well, I was wrong. The doctor told me that my cholesterol was pretty high. Because of my family history, he wanted to schedule a stress test. I thought again, "no problem."

I took the stress test on a treadmill and my heart rate would not even go up high enough for the doctor to be alarmed and in the back of my mind, I was laughing. Well, pictures tell a different story. After going for an MRI, the pictures showed a blockage in my heart. My doctor told me I was on the verge of having a heart attack. I kept telling myself it was not true and I felt fine. Well, two weeks and a heart catheterization later, I'm feeling like a 27-year old again.

So here is advice from an average person: because of my department's requirement, my life was saved from a silent killer. A blockage in my heart could have ended my life-at home, or on the fire ground, trying to save another life such as a fire victim or one of my brothers.

What was really interesting to me was that while I was having the procedure done, one of the Physicians Assistants asked me what made me go to the doctor, and did I have symptoms? I told him there were no symptoms just a required physical from my fire department. The Physicians Assistants told me that he belongs to a fire department and they don't require physicals. About a week after I recovered, I did some research by speaking to my fellow firefighters around our community and even firefighters that I know from out of state. I was surprised to find that departments they belong to do not require physicals at all. If your department doesn't require a physical, it should. You will not regret it and it will save your life. It saved mine.

I will however gladly speak with any appropriate organizations or persons of interest. I would be very grateful if you could help spread the word.

John Apostolakes can be reached at broncojohn1@earthlink.net