STORM2K

As you've probably noticed, I'm only posting 1-3 replies per day, if even THAT....with wildfire season in full swing, the summer tourisim in full swing ALREADY we've been BUSY, BUSY, BUSY and NOW.....as if I don't have ENOUGH to do our SAR Unit is in the process of getting a "Red Card." A red card is necessary to work a wildfire and it enables you to STAY in your own home in CASE of an evacuation! So...what does it take to be "Red Carded?" You have to walk 3 miles in UNDER 45 minutes with a 45 lb. pack on Sounds pretty easy huh? Try it......let me tell ya's, my big ol' butt is DRAGGIN' this morning, started training 2 days ago and my legs feel like RUBBER, when ever I stand up, I'm weak

Dennis

Thanks for the update Dennis. We know you are busy!!! Stay safe, okay?

Interesting a Red Card letting you stay..In Soccer the worlds most popular sport a Red Card gets you kicked out of the game!!

Hi Dennis...you forgot to say that you probably are trained at an altitude of a mile high or higher!

I can walk the three miles. I can carry the pack. Not sure I could do both in that time frame at an altitude above a mile high, though.

I'd probably get a red face and red feet, but not a red card.

We're proud of you, you know. You and Michelle represent the best in what it means to be a "good neighbor" to the world around you.

Best of luck on your quest Dennis & Michelle! Poppyshky made a good point about the altitude as well.

"Yippeeeeeeee!" I DID it.....I made the 3 miles in 45 minutes (without a pack of course "LOL!") 3 more days w/o the pack then it's PACK time "ugh"

Thanks Steve, we try!

Yes indeed, doing this at an elevation of 7102' DOES make a difference....the pack test will be held at Whiteriver on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation, an elevation of 5280' EXACT and they say Denver's the Mile High City "LOL!"

Dennis

GREAT JOB DENNIS & MICHELLE!!

I saw a segment on one of the cable networks last night about "smoke jumpers" and the training that they have to do in order to qualify as one of these elite firefighters. Sounds similar to what you are doing. It has to be an arduous, hard process. Good luck to you folks. So many people will benefit from the training you are putting in.

3 miles in 45 minutes, 45 lb pack, elevation 5280.

Don't forget temperatures in the 80's or 90's!
Make it 46 pounds, and bring some water.
Good luck Dennis!

I actually thought this was a soccer post based on the title lol

The average time it should take for a "fit" man to travel in one hour, unencumbered, is four miles; to do this with an additional 45 pounds baggage is beyond the pale of most people.

This is all the more evidence of the dedication that Dennis and MEE-chelle put into their work...as if we didn''t already know that.

janswizard wrote:I saw a segment on one of the cable networks last night about "smoke jumpers" and the training that they have to do in order to qualify as one of these elite firefighters. Sounds similar to what you are doing. It has to be an arduous, hard process. Good luck to you folks. So many people will benefit from the training you are putting in.

Thanks janswizard! Indeed, this "IS" the exact same test that the Smoke Jumpers, Type I-II-III Hot Shot teams go thru to be qualified as a WildLand FireFighter. We have to *prove* that are physically and mentally able to withstand the arduous work ahead of us in the weeks/months. The reason we are doing this is at the request of the Pinetop/Lakeside Fire Depts...they are desperatly short handed this fire season and need ALL the help they can get. Now, we WILL NOT be fighting wildfires per si`, we will however, be working the front lines providing security, road block assists etc. etc.

Thanks Bill we try to do our VERY best!

Dennis

Congrats and thanks Dennis and Michelle. I can't even imagine how hard that would be. You guys always do your best!!!!!
((Hugs))
Karan