It’s not quite that simple. We have to be able to drag a 100kg person out of a very hot building while wearing 15kg of equipment which restricts your range of movement while on your hands and knees with zero visibility.
Ideally, a firefighter needs to be strong, but not bulky (though some are). Excess muscle just adds weight so ‘wiry strength’ is more practical. We also have to be flexible to be able to work while crouching, have good cardiovascular fitness, and be able to deal with peak stress conditions. I wear a smart watch and it’s not unusual for me to exceed the theoretical maximum heart rate for my age. I train specifically to push my heart above the cardio range.
It’s not quite that simple. We have to be able to drag a 100kg person out of a very hot building while wearing 15kg of equipment which restricts your range of movement while on your hands and knees with zero visibility.
Ideally, a firefighter needs to be strong, but not bulky (though some are). Excess muscle just adds weight so ‘wiry strength’ is more practical. We also have to be flexible to be able to work while crouching, have good cardiovascular fitness, and be able to deal with peak stress conditions. I wear a smart watch and it’s not unusual for me to exceed the theoretical maximum heart rate for my age. I train specifically to push my heart above the cardio range.