Introduction: Working on a wildland fire can be physically and mentally taxing. Given the physical demands of the job, fitness is a key component in keeping wildland firefighters (WLFFs) healthy and safe from injury. Unfortunately little is known about physical training (PT) programs of WLFFs.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine motivators and barriers to PT in WLFFs. Personal, interpersonal, organizational and environmental factors that influence PT were identified. Strategies for overcoming barriers were recommended.

Methods: This study utilized a descriptive research design. Information about PT practices was collected through interviews with key informants (i.e. individuals in leadership positions who work directly with crew members). Interview data was analyzed qualitatively. Additionally, a questionnaire was developed, reviewed by experts, pilot tested and distributed electronically to WLFFs. Questionnaire data was entered in the SPSS statistical program. Barriers and motivators to engaging in PT among distinct categories such as agency type and crew type were examined for differences among the categories.

Results: Sixteen interviews were conducted with key informants from multiple state, federal and volunteer agencies. Two over-arching concepts emerged from interviews as major influences on PT. The first concept, firefighter culture, encompassed several themes. Themes included the powerful influence of leadership and the desire to be seen as a strong, capable and dependable crew member. The second concept, environment, included the influence of factors such as training facilities and equipment and the need for more holistic education about PT and overall health. Preliminary questionnaire results from nearly 1000 firefighters reveal the most frequently identified barrier to PT to be projects and work related trainings taking precedence over PT. Multiple motivating factors were identified including having a supervisor that participates in PT and wanting to be seen as a strong crew member.

Conclusions: This project was an attempt to gain an understanding of the current physical training practices of wildland firefighters. More importantly, results from this study identify, from the perspective of the firefighters themselves, the major motivators and barriers to engaging in quality, consistent physical training.

Abstract In 2014, 35 people died by suicide in Missoula County, making this the highest year on record. This gives Missoula County a suicide rate of 31.5; almost three times the national average. Many suicide prevention strategies have been implemented in Missoula County across multiple levels- universal, selective, indicated and comprehensive. A literature review was conducted to identify evidence-based strategies for reducing suicide in Missoula County and to make recommendations for future programs and research. Relevant publications were found in Cochrane Library, SAGE Online Journals and PubMed databases using various search criteria related to suicide prevention. From a review of 21 articles related to suicide prevention strategies, best practices identified as effective were: public awareness campaigns, gatekeeper training, means restriction campaigns, follow-up care programs, and comprehensive awareness and responsiveness programs. A number of evidence-based practices to prevent suicide were identified. Comprehensive suicide prevention programs are especially promising strategies for Missoula County.

The literary canon chiefly consists of the work of heterosexual, cisgender, white men with primary characters who often fill the same mold. The result is an enormous swath of mainstream literature, film, and television shows that are completely devoid of LGBTIQ representation. Works in the last five years have tested the waters of openly queer primary characters, but such representation is, on the whole, far from comprehensive. Many readers of fiction – especially young, queer-identified readers – have taken it upon themselves to create their own representation by writing fanfiction. A subcategory of the fanwork (a genre which includes the reboot, retelling, pastiche, and homage), fanfiction is the product of a fan taking an original text and rewriting it, often through the lens of their own experience. Fanfiction is posted in online archives where other fans have open access to read and share the new work. It is an unauthorized and therefore generally delegitimized form of fanwork, but fanfiction does serve two very significant purposes: it allows fans to engage with a text on a more relevant level as well as creating an opportunity for queer representation where previously there had been none. The phenomenon of rewriting characters as gay or transgender – or making existing subtext overt – is a form of reader engagement that is often overlooked in academic circles. This paper explores the role of the fan in 21^st century fanfiction culture and the space that is created for queer fans. I will draw examples primarily from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s works featuring Sherlock Holmes, an extensive series that has been through innumerable fan adaptations – both authorized reboots as well as fanfiction – since the detective’s introduction over a century ago. By juxtaposing an original Doyle story with an episode of the BBC’s television show Sherlock (a modernized telling of canon Sherlock Holmes adventures) as well as a specific work of fanfiction, I will demonstrate how fans queer a source text in order to create LGBTIQ representation. The creation of such representation allows queer youth identify themselves within the context of mainstream media providing them a space where they can celebrate their budding identity free from harassment.