My ‘firefighting fit’ challenge

I have never liked exercise, but during lockdown I discovered weights and running and I realised I loved it. Then I rashly decided to take getting fit to a different level, by applying to be a Goring firefighter. I have lived in Goring for the past five years, before that I was in Woodcote. Since 2014, I have run my own successful business, SL Therapies, offering hypnotherapy, reflexology and massage. I happened to chat to a friend about the need for more firefighters in Goring and it planted the idea in my mind. One year later, I applied. Because I am self-employed, I knew that I would be able to commit to the on-call hours needed. I also wanted the motivation to do serious exercise, something which has never come naturally to me.

The firefighting recruitment tests
The recruitment process is tough, no other word for it. To begin with I had to complete two psychometric tests and a maths test. After passing those, I was invited to complete the Chester treadmill test – a 12-minute test on a treadmill at a set speed of 6.2kmph with the incline increasing by 3% every 2 minutes. The next stage was to be the physical assessment day. In preparation for this I attended a Ladies Taster Day at Didcot Fire Station. This is where I found out exactly how hard it really is. I learnt that the physical assessment day comprises eight physically demanding tasks – all done in full fire fighter protective equipment. These tasks are done against the clock and involve:
- Lifting a simulated ladder, a 15kg weight bar, to a height of 190cm, three times in 90 seconds 
- Attaining a grip power reading of 35 or above on a dynamometer
- Climbing up and down and locking a leg at the top of the ladder and leaning backwards to read a symbol on the ground below
- Following the instructions and diagrams provided to assemble the portable pump unit and then disassemble the unit in the reverse order placing each item back on the board in the designated position, all in just over five minutes
- In full equipment wearing breathing apparatus with an obscuration mask fitted, negotiate your way through the ‘confined space run’ in the pitch black, by either crawling or walking. To be completed in five minutes.
- A casualty evacuation exercise involving dragging a 55kg dummy by a carry handle behind the neck, backward, along a specified route, keeping the correct posture. 
- An ‘equipment carrying’ sequence: run out a hose reel, run 100m carrying two coils of hose, carry a hose at chest height for 25m followed by a 75m run, run 100m with the straight hose and basket, jog 100m and then carry a 30kg barbell for 100m – all in under six minutes in full fire fighter kit.

COVID-19 intervenes.
The taster day left me realising that I needed to massively improve my upper body strength and I worked hard to achieve this, with the help of my personal trainer Simon Lord. By the time the first assessment date opportunity came around, at the end of October, I was in peak fitness. Arriving at the station, I had my temperature taken and I was found to have a raised temperature and so I was sent away. I went immediately and had a PCR test, which was negative. I was absolutely gutted at this bad luck. Then one month later I did contract COVID-19. This took a real toll on my health. I had another date booked for the assessment day in January but as much as I tried, I could not get back to my prior level of fitness pre-Covid. I decided to defer my test to March.

Assessment day.
20 March quickly came round. I still hadn’t regained full fitness post-COVID-19, but I was easily lifting 30kg and passing the equipment carry test at home (if you live in Manor Road you probably saw me wearing my boots and carrying a barbell up and down my front garden). One of the first things they do on the assessment day is fit you into full fire gear – jacket, trousers, boots, helmet, gloves. This kit completely restricts your movements and is extremely claustrophobic as the material doesn’t breathe. The first test I did was the ladder lift – none of us women could lift it. It was the most frustrating thing as when I had practiced at home I did it with little effort… second test was hand grip. I passed with my right hand but was only able to get to 31kg with my left hand – failed. Then came the 55kg dummy drag – passed it. Ladder climb and leg lock – passed it. Equipment assembly - passed it. Confined space – passed it…but then there was the equipment carry. We were hot and tired. I watched a girl try first who was in her 20s and in the peak of health, she failed, she couldn’t even complete it. I completed all of it but took too long. Wearing full fire kit made me feel as if I was wading through mud.

Hats off to our firefighters.
I have come away from this whole experience with the hugest admiration for all our firefighters. The strength and stamina that is needed is immense. It is certainly a young person’s career. I continue to work regularly with my personal trainer on weightlifting, and I run regularly. I am proud of how fit I have become. I know that I will be unable to attempt this assessment again though, as my fitness will never be at the peak it was a year and a half ago. COVID-19 may have lost me the chance to join them, but I shall rest assured knowing that if my house is ever on fire and I need a firefighter, then I will be in safe hands.