Wind River / Bighorn Basin District Office
| Contacts: | Sarah Beckwith | |||
| 307-347-5207 |
Bighorn Basin BLM Firefighters Participate in Fitness Challenge
WHAT: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Wind River/Bighorn Basin District is inviting members of the media to observe the District's Fitness Challenge. The strength and endurance of new and seasoned BLM firefighters from Cody, Thermopolis and Worland will be tested during this annual event. Members of the public will also be present, volunteering their time as non-biased certifiers.
WHEN: 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., Monday, June 8, 2009.
WHERE: BLM Worland Field Office, 101 South 23rd Street. Please check-in at the front desk.
BACKGROUND: Excellent physical fitness is essential to firefighter performance. Many times the limiting factor on work production in wildland firefighting is individual fitness. Fatigue has been found to be a contributing factor in many accidents, and numerous studies have proven that physical fitness is a good way to mitigate fatigue.
The Fitness Challenge provides a common system by which BLM firefighters can measure current fitness, establish fitness goals, track fitness improvement, and receive recognition for their efforts. The Fitness Challenge is voluntary, but BLM firefighters are encouraged to participate. Participants are tested in four basic exercises: push-ups, pull-ups, sit-ups and a timed run of either 1.5 or 3.0 miles. Test results are compiled into a final overall score. High achievers are recognized by the BLM annually.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM's multiple-use mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. In Fiscal Year 2012, activities on public lands generated $4.6 billion in revenue, much of which was shared with the States where the activities occurred. In addition, public lands contributed more than $112 billion to the U.S. economy and helped support more than 500,000 jobs.
Wind River / Bighorn Basin District Office 101 South 23rd PO Box 119 Worland, WY 82401-0119