As a seasonal employee, you will have many things to think about in a short period of time, and many expectations to deal with during your first few weeks on the zone. In this section we will talk about the North Zone Physical Training Program and how to get yourself in shape for the coming fire season so that you will have the best experience both here in the Black Hills, and as a firefighter.
I will start out by saying that both Spearfish and Sundance districts maintain high standards for their firefighters. From the first year seasonal, to the Captains and Asst. Captains etc. overall physical fitness is of the utmost importance. Not only will “being in fire shape” help you on the fireline, but your fitness level will also aid in the prevention of work related injuries and foster a safer working environment. We on the North Zone stress the importance of being safe. Safety is always the number one concern. If you are hurt, injured or simply “out of shape”, you will not benefit from all that fire has to offer.
A few questions that are commonly asked are, “when should I begin to workout for the coming fire season?” And another may be, “what exactly does the North Zone do for PT during a normal schedule?” The answer to the former is simply put, RIGHT NOW. The fire season at times can be brutal in terms of the long hours, extreme weather environment, and difficult physical work, even if you are not on a fire, the demands of the job can be physically challenging, i.e. cutting projects, piling projects etc. The longer you put off training your body and “work hardening” the body, the longer it will take you during the season to get into shape and recover, thus, leaving the body open to injury and unsafe environments.
To answer the latter, each district is a little bit different in terms of order of exercises, but the philosophy of the districts remains the same. At the beginning of the year, there will be a physical training assessment in which both districts get together and assess your personal physical fitness level. These variables are recorded and scored in order to show the individual an initial training status. These scores will be used throughout the year in order for the individual to have a baseline score and to motivate the individual to best those scores in the future.
There will be a daily routine for the PT program starting first thing in the morning, which of course is subject to change do to fires or other priorities passed down from the supervisors. The workouts consist of a combination of trail running, and body weight exercises, along with full-gear hiking days. The exercises and order are agreed upon in the spring by the supervisors. Any questions concerning the PT program should be directed to your direct supervisor.
Once again, it is highly recommended that you be in “fire shape” on your reporting date. Being in shape will enhance your experience both on the Black Hills and your experience as a firefighter by ensuring cohesiveness as a group and aiding in the prevention of work-related injuries. Any questions concerning the actual exercises within the PT program should be directed to your immediate supervisor.
