JUST days after becoming qualified retained firefighters, a trio of Mount Gambier residents shared the adrenaline-filled moment when they were faced with a real-life fire rescue situation last week.
When the Mount Gambier Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS) retained staff were called to a fire on Barcoo Road last Wednesday morning, new recruits Lily French, Mike Smith and Nathan Hutchesson could barely contain their nervous excitement.
Only a week earlier, the trio completed two high intensity courses to show they were capable of becoming retained MFS firefighters.
Despite passing both courses with flying colours, it was driving down Barcoo Road when their passions were confirmed.
“I remember driving out there and retained station officer Rob Baker telling me to put the mask on because he had a feeling about it,” Mr Smith said.
“We pulled into the street and I could see the flames as we were driving towards it and I got my answer that I was where I was supposed to be.”
Mr Hutchesson said his adrenaline was pumping.
“To begin with it just came in as a tree on fire, then it got upgraded to a structure fire, so we all jumped into the truck and it was pretty exciting,” he said.
“I was just wondering, ‘are we going to get out of the truck, is something going to happen?’ and then we got there and some of the senior members said let’s go in and we were under way.”
Having completed the breathing apparatus and ropes and ladders courses, Ms French said she felt the training “kick into action”.
“Obviously we were not expecting our first job to be so big, but I quickly realised how much I had learned in those two weekends when we would finished at the scene of the fire,” she said.
“Afterwards we were so excited because it was so rewarding that we were able to go and help the resident and prevent nearby properties from any further damage.”
Regional commander Mark Searcy was not surprised at the composure of the three recruits, revealing Ms French and Mr Smith topped the class at the weekend courses.
“They all deserve credit for completing the course, but for two out of three to top the class is fantastic,” Mr Searcy said.
“It gives an indication of the level of our senior group and the training they provide to these recruits before they attend the course.”
In what is considered a male-dominated industry, Mr Searcy hoped more women would buck the trend like Ms French.
“They were impressed with her enthusiasm in Adelaide and it is a great effort by her to top the class,” he said.
“It shows people of all shapes and sizes are capable of joining our team and there are still positions available.”
Ms French encouraged anyone thinking about joining the MFS not to hesitate.
“It definitely made me more confident personally and it puts the message out there to others that you are capable if you have the right attitude and want to have a go,” she said.
“You can achieve a lot with the MFS in a really short amount of time”.
