By HARRY CLARKE
A ROMA police officer and keen endurance runner will be swapping the cattle pads of Maranoa with the well trodden streets of the Big Apple when he runs in the famous New York Marathon in November.
Senior Sergeant Dan Wicks from Roma Police is training up for the iconic event as part of a program run by Fortem Australia, an organisation which helps to foster wellbeing among emergency service personnel.
Snr Sgt Wicks, a police officer of 21 years, was initially selected as a reserve runner to be subbed into Fortem’s team of four until one of participants pulled out of the event.
Sure enough he’s now been called up and given a plane ticket to the United States and has since been training feverishly in the outback paddocks and roads around Roma ahead of the marathon on November 6.
“When the opportunity came up for first responders to run the New York City Marathon with Team Fortem, it was an opportunity to promote the importance of health and wellbeing,” Snr Sgt Wicks said.
“With 21 years of experience as a police officer under my belt, I understand the importance of sport, fitness and keeping an active lifestyle when dealing with a stressful job.
“I am adamant that the reason I have been able to continue in my role as a dedicated police officer is due to the physical and mental benefits of keeping fit, healthy and active in sports.
“As I have progressed in my career and taken on leadership roles in the QPS, I have made it my purpose to promote and lead others in their own personal health and fitness journey.
“It can be a tough job at times, so I actively encourage and engage with all my colleagues to make positive lifestyle changes including being active in sports and physical events, especially focusing on those going through a difficult period.
“I am adamant that the reason I have been able to continue in my role as a dedicated police officer is due to the physical and mental benefits of keeping fit, healthy and active in sports.
“As I have progressed in my career and taken on leadership roles in the QPS, I have made it my purpose to promote and lead others in their own personal health and fitness journey.
“It can be a tough job at times, so I actively encourage and engage with all my colleagues to make positive lifestyle changes including being active in sports and physical events, especially focusing on those going through a difficult period.
“It is great that we have an organisation like Fortem that is committed to prioritising wellbeing, breaking stigma, starting conversations about mental fitness, preventing and treating the deep impacts of first responder work and seeking or allowing support from loved ones and the community.
“I hope to use the opportunity that Fortem has given me to help promote mental fitness and wellbeing support to other first responders across Queensland and the rest of the country, and am training hard to further improve my resilience and enjoy every step of the New York City Marathon later in the year.”
Since starting in 2019, Fortem has supported over 6,500 emergency services and national security employees and volunteers – and their families – through science backed connection activities, clinical services, and transition and employment programs.
There has been a total of 17,672 registrations for wellbeing activities with many more on waitlists demonstrating a response as strong as the need for evidence-based and connection focused wellbeing support for first responder families.