Firefit Kids is a local nonprofit that aims to create safe and engaging environments for children by connecting them with local firefighters. 

The program emphasizes the importance of safety, education, and helps build strong connections with local youths. 

On April 7, the Firefit program invited local youths to visit a fire station and participate in firefighter-related activities. These include light workouts, a firefighter obstacle course, and hands-on experience at the fire station and on the fire truck. 

The Today reporter spoke recently with Tim Trujillo, a Pueblo native and firefighter for the City of Pueblo for the last 17 years. He is the main coordinator of the Firefit Kids program. 

“Firefit Kids was my way of giving back. I was looking for something to do that included my job and mentoring kids in the community,” said Trujillo. “I also wanted to expose these safe havens for local youths in the community,” referring to the 10 fire stations located across the city of Pueblo. 

Trujillo also commented on the powerful presence that these fire stations have in their communities, saying despite transportation issues, these safe havens are within walking distance in each neighborhood.

“If you’re ever in a crisis, just ring the doorbell and there will be a compassionate person on the other side,” Trujillo said. “You could be cold; you could be hungry; you could be scared. It’s not just fire and medical.” 

Firefit Kid events take place at the beginning of every month during a weeknight at varying fire stations in town. The program starts its calendar year of events every March lasting through January; a total of 11 events throughout the year. 

It also partners with multiple organizations and programs in the community to help sponsor the activities for their monthly events. Some of those community partnerships include Districts 60 and 70, the Pueblo City-County Library District, and the Pueblo Parks and Recreation Department. 

Other sponsors include Pueblo Rocks and Epic Pueblo, which provides the kids with fun holiday-themed crafts and they also give out free books to kids at each event. 

Trujillo also invites these local community organizations to come and speak to the kids. 

A typical Firefit Kids event includes a child and guardian check-in before jumping into a firefighter related obstacle course. After the obstacle challenge, the kids are split up into groups and given a tour of the fire station. 

“The kids and even the adults get the opportunity to see how we live as firefighters,” Trujillo said. “After the tour, the children are then given the chance to spray water from the fire truck hose. This is always the best part.”

Even though there is a lot to unpack at a Firefit Kids event, Trujillo always is cautious of the events being timely due to the schedules of children and families, especially on the weekday during the normal school week.

“I try to keep it at an hour, so we are there at 6 p.m. and they are out the door by 7 p.m. so they can get home and get to bed super early,” Trujillo said.

Desarie Champion, born and raised in Pueblo, has attended Firefit Kids events for the past five times with her 4-year old grandson, Jeremiah.

“I really appreciate how the kids can participate in the activities with the firemen,” Champion said. “My grandson really enjoyed the event, and I think his favorite part was the water hose.”

Champion also stressed the importance of having more events like this in Pueblo. 

“It’s important to have these kinds of events, so the public can be involved, give the kids something to do and look forward to, and they get to interact with the other kids and make new friends,” Champion said. “Jeremiah and I plan to attend many more Firefit Kids events in the future.”

Trujillo talked about the most rewarding part of Firefit Kids while also expressing his hopes for the future. 

“The most rewarding part is watching the kids grow up, getting to see the families year after year, and watching the kids evolve from beginners to masters and to mentors of the younger kids,” Trujillo said. 

“This has been my passion, my baby, and I have been a champion for this program. But I am hoping there is a group of young firefighters that are ready to take this up,” Trujillo said. “I am really just excited to hand it off to them and watch them succeed and thrive.”