NEW EMERGENCY FOREST FIREFIGHTER TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

Released on April 25, 2006

Anyone wishing to work as a Type 3 Firefighter (basic emergency firefighter) this summer will need to meet new Occupational Health and Safety requirements.

"Our objective is to ensure the safety of all firefighters on the fire line this summer and meeting the new Occupational Health and Safety requirements will help us do that," Environment Minister John Nilson said.

Beginning this year, there will be a minimum fitness requirement for all Type 3 firefighters. The test for fitness involves walking one mile in 16 minutes without a pack. In addition to passing the fitness test, all prospective Type 3 firefighters will have to complete a four-day Wildfire Crew Member course (formerly known as Basic Firefighting).

Firefighters who have taken the Basic Firefighting or the Wildfire Crew Member course in previous years will be required to recertify by attending a two-hour refresher safety lecture. They also must pass the fitness test each year.

"Type 3 firefighters need to be able to perform heavy physical work on the fire line for a minimum of eight hours a day for a 10 to 12-day period, so being able to meet these minimum standards is essential," Nilson said.

Anyone wanting to be hired as a Type 3 firefighter this summer should contact their local Saskatchewan Environment forest protection office to set up a test date. The locations and phone numbers of all department forest protection offices are available on the department website at www.se.gov.sk.ca/fire.

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For More Information, Contact:

Glen Longpre Environment Prince Albert Phone: (306) 953-3726