Description
The MTI Wildland Fire Training Packet is composed of our 5 “Killer Fire” training plans developed for wildland firefighters, the Wildland Fire Fitness Assessment as well as either the Wildland Fire or Hotshot/Smokejumper pre-season training plan. The 5 Killer Fire plans are named after tragic wildfires in American history.
The “Killer Fire” plans deploy the most recent iteration of our Fluid Periodization model and concurrently train the 4 primary fitness attributes of a Wildland Firefighters:
- Relative Strength
- Work Capacity (sprint-based and multi-modal)
- Chassis Integrity (functional core)
- Mountain Endurance (run, ruck, loaded uphill)
Blackwater, Mann Gulch, Storm King, Rattlesnake, Yarnell Hill were all designed in September 2019. The Wildland Fire Pre-Season and the Hotshot/Smokejumper Pre-Season Training Plans were designed in 2017. The Wildland Fire Fitness Assessment Training Plan is the latest addition to the packet and was designed in November 2021.
In all, this packet of plans represents 48 weeks of total training. The intention is wildland firefighters begin with the first plan in the packet, Blackwater, 48 weeks before reporting for the next fire season, and work through the plans in the order below, finishing with the appropriate pre-season training plan (Wildland Fire for truck crews, Hotshot/Smokejumper for hotshots and smokejumpers) directly prior to reporting for the fire season in the spring.
All of MTI’s Wildland Fire training plans have a significant endurance emphasis – which reflects the mission-direct fitness demands of wildland firefighting, and the fitness culture of most wildland fire units.
The endurance programming in the Killer Fire plans is progressed as you work through the plans. This means the endurance distances increase from plan to plan.
Click the links below for the specifics of each training plan:
- Wildland Fire Fitness Assessment Training Plan
- Blackwater
- Mann Gulch
- Storm King
- Rattlesnake
- Yarnell Hill
- Wildland Fire Pre-Season Training Plan (Truck Crews) or Hotshot/Smokejumper Pre-Season Training Plan (both are included in this packet)
See the Chart Below for details on the Killer Fire Plans:
The price for this packet of plans represents a 30% savings over the combined price of the individual plans.
REQUIRED EQUIPMENT
- Fully-Equipped Functional Fitness Gym
- Ruck or Backpack and up to 60# of load
- 10# dumbbell, sledgehammer, hoe or other wildland fire hand tool
You can also click on the individual plans above to see the required equipment for each specific training plan.
COMMON QUESTIONS
What order should the plans be completed?
- Wildland Fire Fitness Assessment Training Plan
- Blackwater
- Mann Gulch
- Storm King
- Rattlesnake
- Yarnell Hill
- Wildland Fire Pre-Season Training Plan (Truck Crews) or Hotshot/Smokejumper Pre-Season Training Plan (both are included in this packet)
What if I miss a day?
Begin where you left off when you return to training. This program is progressed – each session builds upon the prior session – so don’t skip a session or skip around. Follow the training sessions in order, regardless.
What if I can’t do the whole session?
If you don’t have enough time to complete the whole session, you can split the session into two.
What is the difference between the Greek Hero plans and the Virtue Series Plans?
1. The training plans in both series were both initially completed by our tactical lab rats, including myself, at our facility in Wyoming. The Greek Hero Series deploys our most recent programming. The Virtue Series deploys our previous version.
2. Both Series are designed as day to day programming for tactical athletes. The Virtue Series concurrently trains strength, work capacity, endurance, and chassis integrity. The Greek Hero Series trains these attributes plus TAC SEPA (tactical speed, explosive power, and agility).
3. Each plan in the Virtue Series trains these attributes concurrently, but each also emphasizes certain attributes. Fortitude, for example, emphasizes gym-based strength and moderate-paced mid-distance endurance. Some of the Greek Hero plans likewise have areas of emphasis, but it is more subtle.
The more defined emphasis in the Virtue Series allows me to target these plans to athletes relatively new to our programming, or who need to work on specific areas.
In general, the Virtue programming is simpler, more direct and more “jagged.”
As tools, I can deploy for athletes the Virtue plans are a little more blunt. The Greek Hero plans are more fluid, subtle and sophisticated.
The Virtue Plans make a great foundation for the Greek Hero plans.
What about nutrition?
See our Nutritional Guidelines HERE.
Where do I find unfamiliar exercises?
See our Exercise Library HERE. The Run/Ruck Calculators are listed as an exercise.
What do you mean by 15 Minute “Grind”?
You should work your way through these circuits briskly not frantically.
Can I see sample training?
Yes – click on each individual training plan above, then click the “Sample Training” tab at the plan product page to see sample training.
How do I access the plan?
You can access the plan via username and password either through our website or through our app ((Mtn Tactical Fitness) available for IOS and Android.
Can I print out sessions to take to the gym?
Yes – you can print a week of programming at a time.
More questions? Email coach@mtntactical.com
DISCLAIMER
Before beginning any exercise program, consult with your physician to ensure that you are in proper health. Physical training contains inherent risks including, but not limited to, muscle strains, tears, physical and bodily injury up to and including death. This training program is not meant to provide medical advice; you should obtain medical advice from your private health care practitioner. If you are unable to assume these risks then you should not engage in this training program. No liability is assumed by Mountain Tactical Institute, Inc, its owners or employees, and you train at your own risk. Mountain Tactical Institute makes no warranty, express or implied, of any kind in connection with this training program.