“Part of my job can be very physically demanding, and
staying in good physical condition is one of my highest
priorities. The fire service as a whole has an epidemic of poor
health which is why the leading cause of firefighter deaths
is cardiac related,” Cerci said. “If I motivate one firefighter
to change the way he is living and become more active with
physical fitness, then I believe I have done well.”
The Challenge began in 1993 by Dr. Paul Davis. And
while Cerci has been an athlete all of his life, he’s never done
anything like it. “It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done, sportswise,” he said. “I never lost that competitive drive.”
Given that the Challenge replicates the rigors of fighting an
actual fire, it’s not surprising that many on-the-job fatalities of
firefighters are from heart problems. “I try to promote good
health for anybody,” said Cerci, who works out four or five
days per week. “I do functional training — a lot of Olympic
training, cardio training and CrossFit training. By far I’m
probably in the best health I’ve ever been in my whole life.”
Because pursuing his sport requires a lot of travel, Cerci has
sponsors who help make it possible. Those sponsors include
Robinson-based Drager (a German SCUBA maker that
supplies firefighters), Peters Twp. Fire Dept., McKeesport-
based Sun Ray Electric, Broadway Pizza in McKeesport, and
City Finance Corp. in McKeesport.
Peters Fire Dept. Chief Dan Coyle said Cerci’s commitment
to his sport inspires others, and that’s why they help.
“They see his dedication to the sport, number one,” Coyle
said, noting that firefighting as a career is really for younger
men. “For a guy his age, doing what he’s doing is incredible…
What they do at these events is push [participants] like it is a
real fire.”
Cerci is at his training all of the time, the chief said.
“I’ll see him at work running up and down our exterior
stairs in his equipment in 80-degree weather… What these
athletes do is over and above what we really do. It’s a pride
thing for the department to say, ‘He’s one of ours,’” Coyle said.
“I’m personally proud of Chris.” ■
Chartiers Valley | Spring 2014 | icmags.com 9