Other fatalities have occurred when firefighters attempted to outrun the fire rather than deploy their shelters, or failed to remain inside the shelters after successfully deploying them. The changing wildland fuel conditions, often resulting from past fire exclusion policies, make the wildlands more flammable and increase the size and intensity of many fires. The implementation of the Federal Fire Policy Review, more clearly defining the areas of wildfire suppression responsibility for Federal and State wildfire agencies. The age and experience levels of wildland firefighters and fire managers, com bined with the trend toward downsizing government at all levels. Because of these factors, it is essential that positive steps be taken to ensure the safety of fire personnel during wildland fire operations.
All firefighters are responsible for their own safety and well being.
Dr. Sharkey discusses the components of a fitness program, and details the procedures for the Pack Test, the new fitness test that wildland firefighters working for all Federal agencies and many State agencies must pass each year. Training is especially critical in wildland fire operations. Understanding these factors requires specialized training. The NWCG has developed courses from the most basic to the most advanced levels of wildfire suppression and management. These courses and task books requiring demonstrated performance in a field setting should be the basis of a well-rounded training and qualifications program.