The Greenwood Fire Department has more than 80 full and part-time firefighters. Often working long hours in harsh and rigorous conditions, firefighters dedicate a significant amount of time and energy to taking care of others.
Forté’s First Line Tactical Athlete Program is a proud partner of the Greenwood Fire Department. This program embeds a full-time athletic trainer in the Greenwood Fire Department to provide health care to the men and women who serve this community. The partnership includes screenings, education, individualized preventative programming, on-site evaluations, imaging, and rehabilitation services which may result in referrals to Forté Sports Medicine and Orthopedics physicians.
“To have a firefighter off work due to an injury costs our department hundreds of dollars a day and negatively impacts firefighters and their families,” said Greenwood Fire Department Chief Darin Hoggartt. “We anticipate this program will help save money and improve team performance and morale, which are important as we work to preserve the life and property for all who live in and visit the City of Greenwood.”
Located on-site to care for the fire department employees is veteran athletic trainer Dave Waltson. Waltson, an athletic trainer for the Indianapolis Colts for nearly 30 years, uses his professional athlete experiences to provide unique prevention and injury healing solutions to these tactical athletes. “I enjoy the opportunity to apply the knowledge and experience I’ve gained in working with professional football players to members of the fire department,” Waltson said. “I am honored to work alongside these tactical athletes.”.
