The Nest

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Five years ago, Jennifer Owens couldn’t manage to do a single pull-up. It kept her from passing a fitness performance test all police officers must complete as part of the police academy. But now she breezes through more than a dozen pull-ups. Last week she ripped off 18 of them. The 27-year-old Roanoke police detective can also do 70 sit-ups and can bench press 140 pounds, more than her body weight. Owens’ physical abilities have helped out her out at work, where she occasionally has to chase down criminals and restrain men whose size can dwarf her small frame, but...

Crucial lifestyle changes can prevent heart attack & improve health Firefighting has come a long way in the past few decades. Advances in technology, apparatus, building construction and firefighter fitness have contributed to a more effective and efficient fire service. The days of charcoal breathing canisters and Browder Life Nets have given way to state-of-the-art breathing apparatus and thermal imaging cameras. Yet despite these advances, there remains one factor we haven’t mastered that continues to fatally plague our personnel: heart attacks.According to the U.S. Fire Administration, 87 firefighters died while on duty in 2010. Of those, 50 of the 87...

  Over a decade of law enforcement work has given me great opportunities.  Great disappointments and great friendships.  I would like to share some of my experience with you so that you can learn from my mistakes and benefit from my successes.  You may not agree with everything that you read, but given a long enough time, you will see that only truth is listed here. 1. Be nice, until there’s a time not to be nice.  When that time comes, be mean, but appear to be nice.2. When you pull over a person and are going to write a...

Cooking has long been and continues to be the most common cause of home structure fires and home fire-related injuries. Whether preparing for a family dinner or a quick snack, practicing safe cooking behaviors can help keep you and your family safe. Never leave your range or cooktop unattended while cooking. If you have to leave the room, turn your range or cooktop off. Wear short, close-fitting or tightly rolled sleeves. Loose clothing can hang down onto hot surfaces and can catch fire if it comes in contact with a gas flame or electric burner. Keep your cooking area clean...