Longview Fire Department Pickleball Initiative: Longview Fire Department firefighters are staying active and getting closer to the community by playing pickleball most weekdays at Clary Courts in John Null Park. The games help them complete their daily exercise while also making them more visible in a neighborhood where they are asking for a new fire station.
Pickleball and the Fire Station’s Fitness
Firefighters from the Longview Fire Department, dressed in blue shirts and gym shorts, can often be seen at the pickleball courts with their fire trucks and ambulance parked nearby. Playing pickleball is now part of their regular fitness routine.
Firefighter Dane Crater said they began playing during the COVID-19 pandemic, when gym visits were restricted. Former station officer Brett Johnson introduced pickleball to the team by taping court lines in the station bay and setting up portable nets.
“So they taped lines in the bay, we pulled the rigs out of the bay, and he brought portable nets and we set it up and they played at the station,” (firefighter Skylar Daugherty).
“When we couldn’t go to the gym with COVID, that was our (required personal training) at the house instead,” (Dane Crater).
In 2023, when the Longview Pickleball Club renovated Clary Courts, the fire crew helped clean the courts using their engine hose. Since then, the courts have become their regular training spot, and some firefighters have even joined the club.
Physical training is encouraged by the International Association of Fire Fighters, and Longview spokesperson Angela Abel confirmed that every firefighter is allowed an hour of training per shift.
Connecting with the Community
Skylar Daugherty said playing pickleball has helped firefighters bond with local residents and made their daily work more familiar to the public.
“They get to learn about what our day looks like a lot,”. “When we first started coming out here, there was a lot of like, ‘Hey, what are you guys doing? What’s your day look like?’…(Skylar Daugherty)
“It’s just been a great way to get to know some of the community members and kind of build some bonds and friendships, and now you know, we see them around town sometimes, whether we’re going on calls or going to do our other duties, which are like business inspections, things like that. It’s just nice to have a well-rounded approach to the community as a whole.”
Firefighters say these interactions lead to stronger ties and better understanding between the department and the people they serve.
Faster Response, Stronger Presence
Battalion Chief Eric Koreis said that each firefighter shift lasts 24 hours, starting at 7:30 a.m. Physical training, including pickleball, usually begins around 10:30 a.m. after morning duties and gear checks. However, games can be interrupted anytime if there’s an emergency.
All gear is kept in their trucks, and it takes less than 90 seconds for firefighters to respond. Angela Abel said their location at the courts helps them reach nearby emergencies faster.
“During a recent fire in the neighborhood, the crew was already at the courts and responded in just two minutes,” Angela Abel said. “That rapid response allowed us to contain the fire early and limit damage to the home.”
She also noted that a similar fire in the same area later had a slower response time because the fire crew was farther away.
Battalion Chief Eric Koreis explained that being active in the blended area where the proposed Station 83 might be built helps cover more calls and sometimes acts like a temporary station.
“We’re always ready to give a little tour (of the trucks) or handout stickers,” Eric Koreis said. “We’re really just looking for any kind of positive interaction.”
News in Brief: Longview Fire Department Pickleball Initiative
Firefighters from the Longview Fire Department play pickleball at Clary Courts to stay fit and connect with locals. The activity helps with faster emergency responses and builds friendships. With plans for a third station, their presence on the courts brings health, safety, and stronger community ties.
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