Physical Training:

Physical fitness training will be conducted daily for a minimum of one hour when not on assignment. Training will focus on stretching, aerobic fitness, strength building, and work hardening. Typical workouts include a combination of calisthentics (push-ups, abdominal exercises, pull-ups, etc.) running or power hiking. Intensity and distance of runs will vary depending on the objective of the workout with higher intensity 3-4 mile runs alternating with slower endurance runs of 6 plus miles. The crew will conduct a physical fitness assessment the first day of the season. Each crewmember will be evaluated on a timed 1.5 mile run, number of situps and pushups in one minute, and number of chin-ups.

Pre-season physical preparation is critical to ensure that you arrive prepared for the physical demands of the fire season. Detailers selected to participate on Blue Goose should be conducting a year-round physical training program. A number of training resources and references are available to assit you in developing a fitness program to meet your needs. The FireFit Program , Fit to Work, and "Fireline Fitness" are some of the resources designed to assist firefighters with designing and implementing a well-balanced training program.

Crew Training:

Blue Goose is committed to providing quality training tailored to meet the needs of the crew and the individual. A variety of training delivery methods are used including TDGS and STEX's, NWCG courses, field training, and informal training. Field training will be used extensively pre-season to build crew cohesion, reinforce crew operating procedures, and provide an opportunity to practice tactical skills in a simulated fire environment. It also provides crew overhead an opportunity to evaluate tactical and leadership proficiency of crewmembers and refine further training needs of crewmembers.

The crew will conduct a minimum of 40 hours of critical training prior to becoming available for assignment. Critical training will include, but is not limited to; fireline safety (risk management, fire orders, LCES, entrapment avoidance and shelter deployment), fire behavior, fire suppression fundamentals and crew standard operating procedures.