[firekeeper]

Hullo!
I didn't see a "introduce yourself"-thread around here (if there's one, could some mod move the topic, please?), but I just wanted to say "Hi", since I finally registered in this board.

So. Hi!

My name is Silvia, I'm a 28 year old German volunteer firefighter. Since last year, I managed to get the two loves of my life (firefighting and journalism) together, and am now press officer ("Advisor Public Relations") for the German Fire Services Association ( www.dfv.org ).

I'm always eager to learn new things, and am currently responsable for a project with which we want to double the number of women in the German Fire Services. We're heavily supported by the ministry and did a study beforehand. There are modules like conferences for female firefighters (five of them, nationwide) and I'm currently putting on a website, too: www.feuerwehrfrauen-netzwerk.org (only in German, sorry).

Hmm. Somehow, I'm always starting to babble when talking about my work... Anyway - who're you? (Am I being nosy? Check. Curious? Check.)

Gruß
firekeeper
_________________
On ne voit bien qu'avec le coeur, l'essentiel est invisible pour les yeux - Antoine de St. Exupéry

[firekeeper]

... somehow, I feel kinda ignored. Is there another place to introduce yourself, and I just didn't notice?

Gruß
firekeeper
_________________
On ne voit bien qu'avec le coeur, l'essentiel est invisible pour les yeux - Antoine de St. Exupéry

[ltmalinski]

Hi, Silvia!!!
I didn't want you to feel left out, so here I am...
My name is Jenn Malinski, not Polish, just accidentally married one, long story. I am a 33 year old firefighter in North Carolina and have been for more than ten years. I have tried to increase our numbers, too, but met resistance from above, if you know what I mean (not talking about God).
I have a son who thinks the brush trucks are his and knows where all the equipment is on my engine, and his Grandma's, too. Yes, we are a firefighting family, two brothers, Mom and Dad and me.
You certainly have a lot of energy, which must be a major bonus in your job, keep it up, girl!!!
Welcome to the crew, and good luck!
Jenn

[Marion]

Ok, here I am. Hello from Germany
My name is Marion, the first and only female career firefighter of Feuerwehr Delmenhorst.
Have been working as a firefighter for 7 years and I love it.

Marion

[firekeeper]

Eeek, I got replies! *grins*

@ Jenn: Yup, I'm glad that we've got the support; it's also because of demographic reasons and the likes - less men able to be in the services, so that's a pro-women argument even for those who always fought against women... even though for some of those, only the "biological solution" will be possible, I fear. We're currently 69.000 females, with a total of 1.1 million volunteer firefighters in Germany. For the career firefighters, it's even less - about 190 women, and a total of 27 603 career ffs.

@ Marion: Huhu! Was your search for an apprenticeship successful?


Is there anyone else out there who'd like to drop a line?

Gruß
firekeeper
_________________
On ne voit bien qu'avec le coeur, l'essentiel est invisible pour les yeux - Antoine de St. Exupéry

[AmberB]

Hello! I am very new to getting into firefighting, my best friend was in it for a while (she has MS and couldn't maintain physical conditioning) I live in Maryland and hope to start FF soon!

[Marion]

Hello from Germany and welcome on board!
If it turns out all right with visa and insurance I will go to MD for an internship later this year. It´s so exciting!
Good luck for your application(s)!
Marion

[Fuhteh]

Where you get it???
_________________
Blueshield Alabama