As a member of the Union Hotshot Crew, you are expected to maintain a physical conditioning program that will allow you to come to the crew ready to perform your firefighting duties at a very high level. The following information will help you meet the minimum standards for physical fitness as outlined in the Interagency Hotshot Operations Guide and Work Capacity Testing documents. When prolonged hard work is involved, fitness is the most important factor in work capacity. Work capacity is a composite of fitness, acclimatization, nutrition, skill, experience, motivation, and intelligence.
Fitness is the most important factor.
Fitness has two components, aerobic and muscular. Aerobic fitness is a measure of your ability to supply working muscles with the oxygen they need to perform vigorous day-long work. When you can deliver and use oxygen efficiently, you can do more work without undue fatigue. Muscular fitness includes strength, muscle endurance, and flexibility. Strong workers can lift and carry heavy loads with less fatigue or risk of injury.