Renton Firefighters have expanded their duties this month to include free blood pressure and glucose tests. Last year they completed 7,000 screenings, and hope to do even more this year.

The real goal isn’t the number, but the diversity of people they’ll test this year, said Captain Doug McDonald.

The Department hopes to reach a more diverse group of people this year, and educate them about the dangers of high blood pressure and high blood sugar. They’ve already referred several people to their primary care physicians to better manage their health.

McDonald and the Department’s training & planning team tested 50 people at the Renton Senior Center on Feb. 1 in just over an hour.

Station Captains have scheduled events for every day this month and different locations around Renton including schools, community centers, grocery stores and businesses.

“I encourage residents to help reduce the risks of heart disease by taking advantage of the free screenings that are being made available as part of our month-long promotion,” said Mayor Denis Law.

Last year the Department partnered with Valley Medical Center to provide screenings at its GLOW event. This year VMC has partnered with the City and Renton Fire to provide free screenings and heart health information at the following locations with the hope of reaching out to, and engaging with Renton’s broad multicultural community:

• Feb. 5 - Sikh Temple, Renton, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

• Feb. 6 - DK Market, Renton, 4-8 p.m.

• Feb. 9 - Ukrainian Community Center, Renton, 11 a.m-1 p.m.

• Feb. 19 -  St. Anthony’s Renton, 7:30-8:30 p.m.

• Feb. 26 -  St Anthony’s Renton, 10 a.m-12 p.m.

This campaign is designed to increase awareness about heart health and cardiovascular conditions. Cardiovascular diseases, including stroke and high blood pressure, continue to be our nation’s number one killer, according to a statement from the City.

Of the 7,000 people screened last year, 860 people were found to have high blood pressure and 624 people showed elevated or dangerous blood sugar levels, according to the City of Renton.