A NEW PROGRAM IS BRINGING MILITARY VETERANS FROM NEW MEXICO INTO THE STATE'S FOREST-FIRE FIGHTING FORCE. DAN WARE WITH STATE FORESTRY SAYS THEY HOPE TO ADD 40 VETERANS TO THE USUAL SEASONAL FORCE OF 250 FIREFIGHTERS. HE SAYS YOU DO HAVE TO BE IN SHAPE TO DO THIS WORK. HE SAYS THE BASIC PHYSICAL FITNESS REQUIREMENT IS CALLED A "PACK TEST" … CARRYING A 45 POUND PACK FOR THREE MILES IN 45 MINUTES OR LESS.
THE MILITARY VETERANS WHO ARE TRAINED AS FIREFIGHTERS WILL BE ASSIGNED TO FOUR CREWS WHO WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR SERVICE ANYWHERE IN THE STATE.
