Pre-season Wildfire Training

Today the cold has returned. Arctic air is moving down from Canada. It is blowing and snowing. It seems hard to imagine a wildfire, and in fact right now one couldn't burn. However this summer it will burn.

So as with every season wildfire fighters all over the nation train and prepare for the upcoming fire season. Today is our turn. We have our annual fire refresher.

 This is where we refresh our minds and practice for the upcoming season. We go through various scenarios and review how to handle them. We look at how to attack the fire, how to do so safely and how best to use the resources that are available. Not every fire do we directly attack the fire. Sometimes for safety reasons it is nessecary to hold back, or to fight the fire indirectly.

We also do the arduous test. It is a walking test. We walk ( no running allowed ) three miles in 45 minutes. No problem you say? We'll do it with 45 pounds on your back. That is what we do.

We will also practice getting into our fire shelter. This is an important part of our refresher. Should we ever have to deploy we need to know how to get in these to protect our lives. A scary thought should the worst case scenario happen.

The pre-season is the key to our season getting off to a good start. After today we will have it almost done. The next step is the bi-annual  physical for Engine bosses. We do this to have our medical card, for driving the truck. In the next couple of weeks this will be done and we will be done and ready for the season.

I will post the results of my personal pack test later today.

So as it snows and blows enjoy a warm cozy fire and a cup of joe on me today. Also don't forget to thank all the wildfire fighters for there hard work and sacrifices they make to keep our lands from being destroyed.