calling all mature female probies

[enginegirl]

Hi, I am a brand-new FF, just did first live burn two weeks ago, COMPLETLEY cool. I am a 48-yo female so I realize I am not the traditional FF, but I am in good shape, have been training with a heavy pack, doing the upper body work, and eating right. I'm on the fire team at work and have also applied with the local fire and rescue and am awaiting their word, but the interview went well. Anyway I admire ALL of you and am very happy to be part of this new world. Keep safe.

[XRaysJL]

?

I'm not a female but I'm glad your doing this. It's good to know you're working on your upper body strength. Studies show that it's not just muscle that makes a good firefighter. It's overall physical fitness (Sounds like you based on what you said). It's better if you're more of a marathon runner then a heavy weight lifter. Agility, strength, and endurance are key qualities.

This place is a pretty good source of information. Lots of people have and are in your shoes here.

[enginegirl]

thanks

Hi, thanks for the words of encouragement. I am running, and doing some weight work - we live on a farm so I have plenty of 50-pound feed sacks to lift, carry and throw around, lol - but I'm starting with weights as well.

I think that getting a charged hose around corners and up flights of stairs is pretty difficult, so I'm trying to build up strength and endurance to where my heart doesn't pound so bad after doing that. I hopd that gets easier!

Anyway this is a great place and I wish I had discovered firefighting long ago, but I feel lucky to have this in my life now. Thanks again for the kind words.

Stay safe.

[baileydonk]

I wish I had discovered firefighting long ago, but I feel lucky to have this in my life now.

My thoughts exactly! I wish I'd found this back in my youth - surely would have made it a career. At this point in my life, I'm sticking with it as a side job, although I'm not quite as "mature" as you (38 in a couple weeks). After two years on the department and working out hard, I'm feeling better and stronger than I've felt in my life.

[enginegirl]

Hey XRays and Baileydonk, good to hear from you. Good to hear that strength and overall endurance are what's needed because I am not hugely muscular.

Funny to feel such a strong draw to something for the first time at this age, but you just never know what life will bring. I just feel glad to have this in my life now. Sounds like you do too.

When I go to my office job I sure don't hear everyone so passionate about what they do.

Stay safe.

[RESERVEFORNOW]

When I go to my office job I sure don't hear everyone so passionate about what they do.

Stay safe.

LOL! A bit off topic, but I'd love to find an "Office Workers" forum to see what types of discussions take place there.

[doughesson]

LOL! A bit off topic, but I'd love to find an "Office Workers" forum to see what types of discussions take place there.

Probably which is better,faxing or emailling,which is your favorite computer service, and how many byte of information can your system transmit.

[firetruckred]

Dough and Reserve, you guys are funny : )

Enginegirl, I am on the same page as you! It is so wonderful to have this in my life also, to be invloved in something I am so passionate about and unquestionably in love with. After you've been there and done that, you find something like this. Amazing. : )

[enginegirl]

hi and thanks

Dough, Reserve and FireTrucked,

Hi to all of you, thanks for the laughs and kind words. Today at my desk job I was very frustrated by how pointless so many of the meetings are. Thank goodness for the Fire Service - brings me back to something much more meaningful!

Still waiting to hear from the local volly department. They have their monthly meeting next week - hopefully I'll hear something soon. Wish me luck, I'll keep you folks posted.

[FTMPTB15]

LOL! A bit off topic, but I'd love to find an "Office Workers" forum to see what types of discussions take place there.

Actuarial Outpost: http://www.actuarialoutpost.com/

Welcome to the Actuarial Outpost, home of the internet's busiest actuarial website. Join in the community via our discussion forum, check out the jobs,or play a game of chess or bridge with others in the actuarial community. Also, check out our actuarial links page for other resources on the web.

WOW!!! Now that sounds like loads of fun...

Probably which is better,faxing or emailling,which is your favorite computer service, and how many byte of information can your system transmit.

YUP... that's pretty much what they talk about. How'd you know that!!??

[RESERVEFORNOW]

Oh man, now THAT'S funny!

[baileydonk]

What the heck's an "actuarial"???? Maybe I'm one, and don't know it. I do work in an office during the day...

[FTMPTB15]

What the heck's an "actuarial"???? Maybe I'm one, and don't know it. I do work in an office during the day...

ac‧tu‧ary  Pronunciation[ak-choo-er-ee]
–noun, plural -ar‧ies.
1. Insurance. a person who computes premium rates, dividends, risks, etc., according to probabilities based on statistical records.
2. (formerly) a registrar or clerk.

Basically it's a person who works with numbers all day... in an office!

[Anniearchy]

Hey Engine Girl!

I'm Annie, and I'm a 34-year old female going through testing for the Chicago Fire Department. I managed to be randomly assigned #177 out of 17,063 candidates, so hopefully I'll get "the call" soon.

I too am still working on upper body building and endurance...I'm in great shape but trying to build the bulk necessary for the job without looking like Lou Ferrigno!

What are or were you doing to build lean muscle in your arms, other than hauling farm sacks?

Annie

[enginegirl1]

upper body

Hi Annie, I've been doing lots of pushups, hauling feed sacks, and hauling bales of hay for distances as if it were a charged hose. :-) I definitely notice more strength.

I also just joined a fitness center so I can do weights. Like you I don't want to look like Lou Ferrigno, LOL, just be stronger. What exercises are you doing?