Acclimitazation and Fitness
Wildland firefighters face unique challenges during fire assignments.
Due to environmental extremes and extended shifts , firefighters who maintain a high level of
fitness can more quickly acclimate and tolerate the often arduous work in high heat during a series
of long days without adequate sleep.
In general, physically fit individuals become acclimatized about 50% faster than those individuals who are not physically fit.
Showing up prepared for challenges of strength, and especially endurance, through ongoing training of
hiking or running is important.
Work Capacity Fitness Test
Once every year, firefighters must pass the arduous work capacity test carrying 45 pounds for 3 miles on a flat track in less than 45 minutes.
Primary Wildland Fire Suppression Crews
Forest Service and BLM Hotshots and Smokejumper crews have different training regimens. Most stress
endurance training with hiking and running and some forms of strength training(including hiking with
weight). Often times ,these groups have the opportunity to train together for a number of weeks, grad-
ually increasing fitness before their first fire assignment.
Oncall contract firefighters do not have this opportunity so they must take it upon themselves to get,
and Stay, in shape. That investment in time and energy is well worth it and makes for a better fire
season for you.
Some examples of training for fire fighters:
How a Wildland Firefighter Trains for Fire Season
Wildland Firefighter Calos Flores in Men's Journal
https://www.mensjournal.com/health-fitness/carlos-flores-is-running-for-his-life-and-yours/
Flores: "“No. 1 over anything is cardio endurance. Being able to hike with a large amount of weight is the other thing, and after that, any kind of upper body strength,” Flores says. “There’s been instances where firefighters have lost their lives within a minute – if they could have run a little bit faster for a whole minute just to get over the ridgeline, it would have saved their lives.”
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