Assessment of Pre-Fire Season Physical Fitness Training Among Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Wildland Firefighters

Abstract

2105 Wildland fire. ghters (WFF) encounter many situations during forest fires that require them to rely on their knowledge, experience, and fitness level for survival. While energy expenditure of WFF on the fire line has been well established, relatively little is known about the physical fitness level of wildland fire. ghters when they report to work. PURPOSE: To assess the level of pre-fire season physical fitness training in two categories of Bureau of Land Management wildland fire. ghters. METHODS: A questionnaire was developed using the Delphi method with input from career wildland firefighters and exercise physiologists familiar with the physical demands of WFF. The questionnaire solicited fire. ghter demographic information, type and amount of pre-fire season exercise involvement, level of motivation to exercise, estimated current fitness level, and estimated/actual work capacity (“pack”) test time. Test-retest reliability of the questionnaire was established using a separate group of Utah BLM firefighters. Administration of the questionnaire took place during the 2003 fire season when the prospective WFF completed their work capacity (“pack”) tests. Test-retest reliability was calculated using ICCs, while the nonparametric questionnaire data were analyzed using Cramer's V statistics. RESULTS: Administration of the questionnaire to the separate group of 26 wildland fire. ghters over a 1-week interval indicated moderate test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.78). A total of 163 BLM fire. ghters from Idaho and Utah (106 engine crew members, 57 hand crew members; mean age, 27.3 ± 7.9 yrs) completed the questionnaire. The hand crew WFF had significantly higher frequency of cardiovascular training (36% exercised > 5 times/wk), greater duration of cardiovascular training (30% exercised for > 60 min/workout), and higher current fitness level estimations (33% classified as “excellent”) than did the engine crew WFF (p < 0.05). These differences lacked practical significance due to low Cramer's V coefficients ranging from 0.27 to 0.31. CONCLUSION: For most categories of BLM wildland fire. ghters, the sole fitness criterion for employment is completion of a 4.84 km field-based hike in < 45 minutes while wearing a 20.4 kg backpack, i.e., the work capacity (“pack”) test. While all 163 respondents passed his/her pack test, our results suggest that a wide range of physical fitness levels existed among the wildl and firefighters surveyed. Further research is needed to determine if differences exist in pre- fire season training regimens and physical fitness levels between federal government, e.g., BLM, US Forest Service, and private contract fire crews.