Out of the Frying Pan & Into the Fire

Living in a secluded rural location in NZ did have its advantages, quiet and beautiful with no rowdy neighbours or incessant noises of city life, I mean it sounds awesome right? But it was a double-edged sword, we had peace and solitude but often felt isolated and alone …well I did at any rate. We were so far away from everything that it made it difficult to be part of our community, make friends outside of work and feel like we truly belonged.

Having both grown up in cadets and served in the Police we had always felt drawn towards the structure, discipline, camaraderie and dare I say it fun that you have when you are part of something, and whilst Martin might disagree after 22 years policing I for one was affected by the absence of the feeling of inclusion and service to others, in fact it left a big void in my life.

 

Yes, our life in NZ was idyllic, we had it all! A home, acreage in the country, good careers, so you would be forgiven for thinking what an ungrateful cow I am and that I should count my blessings but as much as I hate to admit it, I was lonely.

Lola thankfully provided a much-needed reprieve from the seclusion and has been a devoted friend these past five years but as much as I love her dearly, she is not much of a conversationalist. Our chats were all one sided, I would do all the talking and Lola would just look at me like I was pathetic and slightly insane, although I dread to think what she would say if she could talk.  

As anyone with a partner in the emergency services will know you spend a lot of time alone and this was one of the aspects of our new life in Canada that we wanted to be different. Our new home was in the prime position to open so many opportunities for us and with Martin no longer working shifts we now also had more time.  

One of the things we had noticed whilst exploring our new town and the surrounding settlements and villages is the number of fire stations that you drive past advertising for volunteer fire fighters to join and this got me thinking. Could I join the volunteer fire service? Would they even take me?

I let this little seed of an idea germinate in my mind for a while, sorting through the pros and cons while the idea solidified.

Con’s:

• I am unfit AF and will only run if someone is chasing me with a knife after which I will need defibrillation.
• I am totally the wrong side of 40 years old… okay the wrong side of 45 years old.
• I feel claustrophobic when I put a snorkel on or pull on a roll neck sweater.
• It takes me forever to get ready for anything so responding to time critical call outs could be an issue.
• I know absolutely zero about putting out fires but had a wee bit of success with starting a few.
• I don’t know anyone; I have always been content to be the wall flower and blend into the background but if you do that in the fire service you get left behind … I mean literally! They will go without you.
• What if they didn’t like me, I am an in-comer fresh off the plane with a weird British/Kiwi accent (or Australian accent as Canadians keep telling me) even I think I look and sound a little dodgy.

Pro’s

• I have two working arms, legs, eyes, and ears.
• I’m bloody hilarious … just ask Martin! He thinks I am a laugh a minute.
• I can follow instruction unless it is coming from Martin and then I ignore everything.
• Martin likes me in a uniform.
• I am better at helping others than I am at helping myself.

Honestly, the biggest thing holding me back was the fear of not knowing anyone or not being good enough but if I stayed in my bubble, I would be safe but still lonely, nothing would change and our moving to Canada would be for nothing. I needed to put myself out there to meet people and grow as a person.

I am never going to be the bravest, fastest, or strongest but was I willing to stand up and be counted when it mattered … Yes, I was! I had my answer.

Before I could talk myself out of it, I contacted the Tri-District Fire Rescue Service, the nearest FD to our home. This FD has been in operation since 2013 when Baker Settlement, Chelsea and Newcombille fire departments merged (we have also now been joined by Wileville FD). I had a chat with the Chief and recruitment officer and had my application completed and submitted in time for the next fire department business meeting where they would either vote me in … or not!

I did not have long to wait for the good news, new volunteer fire fighters are in strong demand and thankfully the team at Tri-District must have been desperate because they let me join their ranks, I was both excited and panic stricken in equal measures, what have I just done!

Joining the FD has been one of the most rewarding experiences and I do not regret a single moment spent at the station, at training or responding to calls. Have there been times when I was scared, nervous, exhilarated and blowing out of my ears because I am so unfit? Hell Yes. But it challenged me in ways I had never imagined, and I also had a lot of fun while doing it. I have learnt so much in the past six months about myself and more importantly the wonderfully eclectic, diverse, and inspiring group of people I now volunteer with.

From my very first training night I was issued with bunker gear and a pager, from now on every time that pager went off, I would be responding to call outs, sh*t just got real … I was actually doing this, they were letting me do this, they must be as crazy as I am.

Since joining the FD I have been in building fire simulations wearing full bunker gear and BA, wielding axes and chainsaws to break through walls, I have used tools like rammers, saws, glass cutters and the jaws of life to prize vehicles apart like tin cans, I have scaled ladders both small and aerial, crawled across rooves, practised putting out chimney fires, driven fire trucks, learnt how to use hoses and pumps and this is only the start.

Anyone who knows a volunteer fire fighter knows that they do not volunteer for the glamour, glory, or the ability to put on uniforms and drive red trucks with loud sirens and bright lights. They certainly don’t do it for any financial reward either. It requires a great deal of commitment, selflessness, courage, sacrifice, perseverance, humour, and positivity, often strapping on bunker gear and racing out to an emergency in the middle of the night only to return home in time to shower before heading out to a day job.

I have learnt that volunteers are extraordinarily ordinary in that they are normal people like you and me with jobs, families, and responsibilities doing extraordinary things. Willing to stand up and be counted when it matters the most, willing to support their colleagues and community alike.

I have a heartfelt appreciation for the Tri-District FD family many of whom have dedicated many years of service as volunteers from teenager though to adulthood. They have made me feel welcome right from the start, not only fully accepting me but also Martin into the family … especially on poker night!

Like with any team there are some personalities who stand out from the crowd and get everyone laughing or smiling like my colleague and giant of a friend Brad Getson, who walked in the Bridgewater parade in the height of summer in full bunker gear and BA, is he a little bit bonkers? Hell, yes but he is 100% the kind of person you would want to back you up on a call, that dude has stamina.  

In the end we only regret, the chances we didn’t take.

So here is the call to action and my final thought for you; if there is something that you want to do in life but are scared to take the chance, take the leap of faith. Be brave, push yourself, open yourself up for growth and new experience because that is where we become truly alive. Carpe Diem! Seize that mother fudger by the balls.

Likewise, if you are considering volunteering for a local FD go and speak to them, chat about it with your family and friends, speak to someone who already volunteers. FD need people like you, 85% of Canada’s fire protection comes from volunteer FDs and recruitment and retention is a significant challenge with a recent study showing a decline of 126,000 to 99,919 volunteers from 2016 to 2021, a loss of almost one fifth of the volunteer base.

If you can’t join as a volunteer then please support your local FD where you can, the saving of lives and property can only take place with the right tools, equipment, and training. Public donations, fund raising and now the 50/50 lottery are vital in allowing FD to serve their communities safely and effectively.

My training with Tri-District is ongoing and I will be aiming to complete the Level 1 Fire Fighters certification next year once I have some experience under my belt. In the meantime, it is life as normal and time to get cracking with the renovations, in between fire calls.