New Fitness Guidelines For Forest Firefighters

New Fitness Guidelines For Forest Firefighters

Tuesday, April 25, 2006 at 14:10

 

 

Anyone wishing to work as a basic emergency (or Type 3) forest firefighter in Saskatchewan this summer will need to meet new Occupational Health and Safety requirements.

 

Beginning this year, there will be a minimum fitness requirement for all Type 3 firefighters.

 

The test for fitness involves walking one mile in 16 minutes without a pack.

 

In addition to passing the fitness test, all prospective Type 3 firefighters will have to complete a four-day Wildfire Crew Member course (formerly known as Basic Firefighting).

 

Firefighters who have taken the Basic Firefighting or the Wildfire Crew Member course in previous years will be required to recertify by attending a two-hour refresher safety lecture. They also must pass the fitness test each year.

 

Environment Minister John Nilson says Type 3 firefighters need to be able to perform heavy physical work on the fire line for a minimum of eight hours a day for a period of 10 to 12 days, so being able to meet these minimum standards is essential.

 

Anyone wanting to be hired as a Type 3 firefighter this summer should contact their local Saskatchewan Environment forest protection office to set up a test date.

 

The locations and phone numbers of all department forest protection offices are available on the department website at www.se.gov.sk.ca/fire.