From his years of service as a firefighter, Larry Rockwell had an injured right knee that doctors said would need a replacement. The Greenwood Fire Department battalion chief had aching legs all the time. But over the past six weeks, Rockwell has found relief with the help of an athletic trainer.
He is one of many Greenwood firefighters and police officers benefiting from a unique, new partnership. The city has agreed to work with Forté Sports Medicine and Orthopedics, formerly known as Methodist Sports Medicine, to provide tactical athlete services for both departments.
Starting in April, officers and firefighters have been able to access a wide range of services — from biomechanical analysis to individualized injury prevention programs to orthopedic evaluation. Greenwood is one of the first cities in Indiana, and the nation, to have an embedded athletic trainer providing these services.
In doing so, leaders hope to improve the lives of public safety officials and make communities safer.