Heart-Healthy Challenge Winners Announced

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) and Merck/Schering-Plough (MSP) have announced five of the ten winners of the Heart-Healthy Challenge contest. The contest is part of the Sounding the Alarm for High Cholesterol program, a partnership between NVFC's Heart-Healthy Firefighter Program and MSP's Strike Out High Cholesterol program. The goal of Sounding the Alarm for High Cholesterol is to alert firefighters to the risks of high cholesterol and its role in heart disease.

As part of this program, firefighters and EMS personnel nationwide are encouraged to take the Heart-Healthy Challenge, an online quiz available at www.cholesterolalarm.com to test how their heart-health knowledge stacks up. Ten markets across the nation were chosen to participate in a Heart-Healthy Challenge contest. The winning fire station in each market receives a $1,500 donation, as well as 75 tickets to a Minor League Baseball game and recognition at the game. The five winners are:

• Memphis Fire & EMS Department Engine 35, Shelby County, TN
• Earl Township Volunteer Fire Company #1, Berks County, PA
• David Crockett Steam Fire Company #1, Jefferson Parish, LA
• Willard Fire Protection District, Greene County, MO
• Durham Fire Department Station 12, Durham County, NC.

The first baseball game took place on May 31 in Memphis, TN, where the Memphis Redbirds took the field. Members of Memphis Fire Department Station 35 and their families attended the game as part of their prize. Maurice Tolliver, a spokesperson for the station, addressed the stadium before the game to thank his station for winning the contest and to speak about the importance of firefighters’ health. “As a firefighter, I realize it is important to take care of my heart so I can protect yours,” Tolliver told the crowd.

Tolliver was accompanied on the mound by Hall of Fame pitcher Jim Palmer, the spokesperson for the Strike Out High Cholesterol program. Palmer was present to throw out the first pitch, which was followed by Tolliver throwing the second pitch.

The second game took place on June 6 in Reading, PA, home of the Reading Phillies. Brian Filby, a representative of Earl Township Volunteer Fire Company #1, also took the mound with Palmer, who insisted Filby throw the first pitch. Members of the Company and their families cheered Filby on from the stands. “The experience as a whole has opened our eyes, making us aware of the seriousness of heart disease and high cholesterol and how it plays a detrimental role in our job,” said Filby.

The remaining winners of the Heart-Healthy Challenge contest will be named over the course of the summer. To learn more about Sounding the Alarm for High Cholesterol or to take the Heart-Healthy Challenge, visit www.cholesterolalarm.com.

Photo Gallery from the Games

Photos from the Memphis Redbird Game

An antique fire truck provided by the Memphis Fire Museum sat inside the gates of Auto Zone Park before the game begins.

On the field, Lieutenant Keith Staples (second from left) and Maurice Tolliver (third from left) represented Memphis Fire Department Engine 35, the winning station of the Heart-Healthy Challenge in Shelby County, TN.

Maurice Tolliver and Keith Staples spoke with Hall-of-Fame pitcher Jim Palmer before Tolliver and Palmer take the mound.

Maurice Tolliver (left) took the field with Jim Palmer, spokesperson for the Strike Out High Cholesterol Program, to speak about the risks of high cholesterol.

Maurice Tolliver addressed the crowd on the importance of firefighter health.

Maurice Tolliver prepares to throw the second pitch of the game.

Maurice Tolliver gets congratulations from Rocky the Redbird

Photos from the Reading Phillies Game

Game attendees entered First Energy Stadium, home of the Reading Phillies before the game.

A truck from the Reading Fire Department sits outside the stadium gates to let attendees know that firefighters are present and will be recognized at the game.

Hall of Fame pitcher Jim Palmer (right) jokes with Brian Filby (left), spokesperson and treasurer for the Earl Township Volunteer Fire Company #1.

Brian Filby and Jim Palmer prepare to take the field together to deliver messages about the risks of high cholesterol and throw the first and second pitches of the game.

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Brian Filby gets a hug of encouragement from the Reading Mascot before throwing the first pitch of the game.

Jim Palmer addresses the crowd as spokesperson for Merck/Schering-Plough Pharmaceuticals' Strike Out High Cholesterol program.

Brian Filby of Earl Township Fire Company #1 addresses the crowd at First Energy Stadium.

As winners of the Heart-Healthy Challenge in Berks County, PA, Chief Michael "Goose" Marburger accepts a plaque on behalf of Earl Township Fire Company #1.

Members of Earl Township Fire Company #1 and family enjoy the rest of the evening together in the stands.

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