Today Gov. Christine Gregoire completed the recurrent training requirement to earn a “red card” that certifies her to be on the scene of a wildland fire.
The story was all over the news this afternoon; but, in fact, she first earned a red card in 2005:
“I want to understand the conditions that our firefighters face in keeping our families, communities and resources safe,” said the governor. “Having this training means that I will be able to safely enter these areas to get the most up-to-date information.”
Gregoire is the first governor in Washington history to receive this training. She completed the firefighters work capacity test by walking one mile in under the 16 minute-limit and properly deploying her fire shelter. Department of Natural Resources staff in a non-suppression role are expected to undergo light physical fitness training as well as an eight-hour annual firefighter refresher course.
The “Red Card” is a federally recognized Interagency Incident Qualification Card that lists qualifications and currency of people certified as wildland fire personnel. Based on the training she undertook, I suspect Gregoire re-certified as a Field Observer under the Wildland Fire Qualification System (see pg. 103).
No word yet on whether Dino Rossi will try for a Real Estate Broker license in response.