[Demera]

I've just come across this forum and there's heaps of good advice and information. I'm looking forward to reading it all and taking notes.

I'm 28, and have spent my working life as an office chick. I'm looking for a career change, and quit my accounting job to cut back to three days a week desk job, and I spend the rest of the time working on the farm. (Fencing, working with livestock, driving tractors etc.)

I've been a CFA (Country Fire Authority) volunteer since 16, but I've been involved in fire brigade all my life. I'm a qualified wildfire firefighter with the CFA, have my first aid, and have been away on strike teams as the Strike Team Leader's assistant/penciller to major bushfires in the state. (North East Fires 2003, Stawell 2006 and Grampians 2006.)

I would really like to work for the CFA in an operational role, and my Regional Officer has encouraged me to apply for the career firefighter recruitment for the last two years. I was tempted, but I knew I wouldn't pass the physical fitness tests. I've been thinking a lot about it lately, and I think that I a career in the CFA is what I really want, so I've bravely made the decision to apply for next year's intake.

But, I'm not fit, I've never been atheletic or sporty, so I have a long way to go. Applications are normally taken around April, so I have 8 or 9 months to prepare. I'm a regular horse rider, and ride most days, so I have some basic fitness, I'm not starting from couch potato level, but it feels like that when I try to go for a run!

So I'm looking for help and suggestions on how to get there. I've found some information on the internet about strength training exercises specifially for firefighters and I've started doing them at home. I need to get running, as I can really only run a short distance before I'm stuffed. I'm working on building this up. (I started a couple of weeks ago.) I'm also trying to work two horses a day, rather than just one, when time permits, as this will help with my core body strength. (And it's a lot more fun than running!)

Do I have a realistic chance of getting fit enough to pass the gruelling test? The tests might not be the same as what you have in America, but it should be similar. I'm slight framed, weigh around 56-58kg at the moment, hourglass figure, 5'6" tall. Can I get fit enough? Will I ever be strong enough?

I also wear glasses, is this a problem for passing the medical exam? I'm by no means blind, but I need glasses to drive.

I'm going to ring my RO this week and let him know he's finally gotten through to me and I will be preparing to apply next year. Hopefully he will be able to offer me some assistance in practicing for the tasks I'd need to complete to pass the test.

Any and all advice from a female perspective would be much appreciated. I need as much motivation and conviction as I can get to reach the goal of passing!

[Milly]

I think it's great that you want to go further with your firefighting career. Are you looking for a paid position in the CFA or to get into the MFB? The MFB is easier to get into than the MFS (Adelaides) band their requirements aren't as demanding (you don't need your MR's license before applying until MFS, though it sure helps).

The biggest problem that women seem to have is the PAT tests. First of all, the PAT1 - for MFS and MFB you need to get 9.6 on the beep test. What I recommend is to download the Beep Test (I have a copy if you need), and then just do it, once everyday. You'll notice that your score usually increases each day which is a bit of a motivation. Second of all, for the PAT2 - I'd recommend doing things such as pull-ups, situps, pushups, squats aswell.

Exercise for about 30 minutes 5 times a week making sure you're staying about your Target Heart Rate. With this kind of exercise, make sure you're working strength as well as cardio. Depending on your department, you might be able to borrow some equipment. IE, try and set up sort of an obstacle course. If you're CABA trained, try doing in when donned. Do things like practice dragging dummies up stairs, doing hand over hand pulls up onto a second story, etc. Most of all, do it constantly! Not for a few weeks and then give up.

You'll notice the difference in your times, and in your body figure.

Best of all, try and get fit with a friend who's at the same cardio/strength level as you. That way you can always egg each other on.

[Demera]

Definitely CFA... I'm a country girl. Living in Melbourne sucks my soul out!

I spoke to the HR guy and was a bit disappointed to hear that they called for a list of names six months ago, and will draw from that database first before they advertise for new recruits. As I'm not on the list, it could be a couple of years before I even get the opportunity to apply, as they have 300.

BUT... they run a women in career firefighting day in Feb/March, and that day they actually give you a go at the beep test and other tasks. So there's an opportunity to get a foot in the door. He also said that the database is likely to be "stale", as people's lives change, and he'd like the opportunity to open it up again for more names. So all is not lost.

And I now have a more firm time frame to aim for with my fitness. The HR guy told me that the beep test is the main thing I'd need to work on, and I think you need a score of 9. I downloaded it, but I will have to get it onto a CD so I can use it. He also mentioned carrying around 20kg weights.

I'm with a rural brigade, wildfire no structure, so I have plenty of hoses and gear to play with, but I'm going to struggle to find a staircase to use. I live in flat country and there aren't many two storey buildings, certainly no public ones! But, I do have dambanks as my disposal, so I'm sure I can improvise.

Thanks for the training advice... I'm trying to take note of everything I can learn and putting together my own little fitness plan.

Cheers.

[Milly]

Ah, I don't know too much about the CFA. I know more about the CFS since I live in South Australia, and the CFS doesn't have the same type of paid oppurtunity as the CFA. (They have a better logo though! heh)

Good luck to you though Let us know how you progress!