PALM BAY, Fla. -- Palm Bay firefighters could be fired if they get fat and they're okay with that.

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For firefighters, the risk of dying from a heart attack is greater than the risk of dying from any other type of job-related injury. That's why 46-year-old firefighter Rick Bradbury puts himself through a rigorous workout.

"If somebody goes down and I have to go in, I think I'd like to be in shape to pull them out," said Bradbury. "We lost one of our captains back in March. Captain Mike Marcinik to a heart attack."

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Mike Marcinik was just 44-years-old. His story is part of the reason Palm Bay firefighters have chosen to make serious fitness part of their union contract.

"When all the firefighters get together in a union contract and say, 'You will meet this standard,' it's basically requiring the guys to stay in shape," said Gaius Hall, who works to get the firefighters fit.

They go beyond regular exercise. The routine includes pushing out and pulling down ceilings, climbing stars and fast, heavy lifting. Palm Bay firefighters must have less than 20% body fat and must undergo heart stress tests.

Studies have shown that most firefighters have a heart attack after the structure fire they've just fought. The attacks happen on the way back to the fire station, an hour or two after the calls. In the U.S., two firefighters die each week on average. Statistically, one of those deaths will be from a heart attack. Sixty percent of firefighters who die in the line of duty are over the age of 40.

Other fire agencies in Central Florida have physical fitness requirements, but the Palm Bay union believes it is the first to do body-mass testing.