"The Firefighter Throwdown" Meet PGFD Katie Johnson

MEDIA CONTACT: Mark E. Brady, Chief Spokesperson, 240-508-7930

mebrady@co.pg.md.us @PGFDPIO

Prince George’s County Fire Fighter/Medic Technician Katherine P. "Katie" Johnson has never turned down an athletic challenge. Some of her past competitions include a Flugtag team member, Iron Team Challenges, Sand Work, and she participates in distance runs and any other sport fitness event she can find. Katie also assists with the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT), a challenging process undertaken by candidates vying for a career with the Prince George’s County Fire/Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Department. This past April, Fire Fighter/Medic Technician Katie Johnson, currently assigned to the Applicant Investigative Group in Capitol Heights, was awarded a Fire/EMS Department Gold Medal for Excellence in EMS Care and named the 2013 Paramedic of the Year.

Fire Fighter/Medic Technician Johnson is one of only a hundred firefighters selected as a contender in a nationwide challenge, “The Firefighter Throwdown.” She will represent the Fire/EMS Department in the competition, which was created to give physically fit, enthusiastic, and competitive firefighters the opportunity to compete on a national level in the Sport of Fitness. The goal is to provide firefighter athletes an avenue to showcase their skills and fitness levels—no matter the athlete’s age, sex or geographic location.

Fire Fighter/Medic Technician
Katherine P. Johnson

The new age of firefighting is upon us, where health, nutrition, wellness, and athleticism are integral parts of our lives. This commitment, in turn, helps to save lives by providing the profession with the leanest, meanest, performance-based firefighters the profession has ever seen.

In a recent interview, Katie Johnson said, "Over my career, I have been promoted to the rank of Technician, certified as a State Fire Instructor, and obtained an Intermediate Paramedic status. I have an active role in our Department’s physical fitness program and strive to maintain a positive image for aspiring firefighters in our Mentorship program. My two young boys are part of my personal motivation. They cheer me on during competitions and are my whole reason for striving to be the best mom, wife, firefighter, and friend."

The 2014 Firefighter Throwdown is an invitational event and is being staged at Fire Rescue International at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, Texas, August 15^th &16^th.

Four diverse, torturous cross fit workouts of the day (WODs) have been selected by David Bowman, five-time Grand National Champion for the Firefighter Combat Challenge and top three in the world/over 40. This event is NOT for the uninitiated, the weak, or soft. This is guts and glory and you need to be in top physical shape to even be considered as a competitor.

Although Fire Fighter/Medic Johnson will be representing PGFD at the Firefighter Throwdown, she is primarily responsible for expenses associated with her participation this event, i.e. airfare, hotel, and food. Therefore, I am seeking sponsors and/or donations to assist with the costs. Since I initially presented this challenge to Katie and suggest she consider participating, I am making the first donation. To support Katie's road to The Firefighter Throwdown, click here.

Thank you for your support.

For additional information on The Firefighter Throwdown,” you may visit their website by clicking here.