Montana/Dakotas Firefighters Complete Annual Fitness Challenge 2022

Story by Karly DeMars, State Fire Planner; and Chris Barth, State Fire Mitigation & Education Specialist 

Congratulations to Brandi Bivens and Brandon Martinez, both from the Jordan Fire Station in the Eastern Montana/Dakotas District, for being the top finishers in the 2022 BLM Montana/Dakotas Fire Fitness Challenge.  

Brandi earned the highest score (298 points) among female participants, and Brandon earned the highest score (371 points) among male participants.  

Participants who scored at least 300 points also earned recognition. These included Josh Galemore (309 points) from Jordan Fire Station; and Gage Bass (357 points) and Michael Van Patter (341 points), both from Lewistown. Brandi, Brandon, Josh, Michael and Gage were acknowledged for their accomplishment and received a “Special Thanks for Achieving Results” (STAR) award during the Montana/Dakotas fall fire meeting in an audience of their peers.  

The BLM Fire Operations Fitness Challenge is a voluntary fitness challenge for BLM firefighters across the nation. It provides a common system by which they can measure their current fitness, establish fitness goals, track fitness improvement, and receive recognition for their efforts. The Fitness Challenge tests participants in four basic exercises: push-ups, pull-ups, planking, and a timed run of either 1.5 or 3.0 miles. Participants are evaluated using a point system for each exercise category. The highest score possible is 400 points. Nationally, 140 firefighters participated in the 2022 Fitness Challenge.  

Montana/Dakotas Fire Leadership understands and encourages excellent physical fitness, which is essential to firefighter performance, mental health, and safety. Congratulations to all 2022 BLM Fire Operations Fitness Challenge participants! 

For more information on BLM’s Fire Operations Fitness Challenge, visit www.nifc.gov/about-us/our-partners/blm/training/fitness-challenge