Meet the newest female recruits from ACT Fire & Rescue College 44
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From a birth doula to a long-serving public servant, four women are among the newest recruits to graduate from ACT Fire & Rescue College 44.
Joining the college in February this year, the recruits went through 20 weeks of rigorous training, both theoretical and practical, before their graduation today.
One recruit, Pip d’Ews Thomson, has worked as a postie, a science teacher, a research scientist and a birth doula before realising she wanted to do more to give back to her community.
“I really thought that with my range of skills and life experiences, I’d have a really great mix to offer ACT Fire & Rescue,” she says.
As a mum to two school-aged children, she says she is excited to “be a really great firie” at Ainslie Fire Station while balancing her family and work life.
While she is only one of four women, Pip says that being in the college with a strong group of supportive and diverse people made the experience special.
“It’s nice to know that we can have chats about our experiences but we’re still just one of an amazing crew.”
“I think all of the guys are just as supportive as well… So it’s not just about having the women around, it’s about having just a really great crew in general,” she says.
(L-R) Pip d’Ews Thomson, Adrianne Roper, Lauren Thompson, Zoe Skyrianos.
Previously working as a gymnast instructor, Lauren Thompson says she wanted to join ACT Fire & Rescue’s newest recruits to challenge herself.
“I’ve always wanted a job that’s practical, that’s not behind a desk, something that challenges me and changes every single day.”
“When I heard about ACT Fire & Rescue, the work that they do and the involvement in the community, it just sounded like something that I would really enjoy,” she says.
While she admits she found the training physically and emotionally challenging, Lauren says she enjoyed every minute of it.
“You’re facing temperatures which you have never faced before or your working past what you think your limits are because you know that when you’re doing this in the real world it’s going to be to help someone like who’s on their worst day,” she says.
“There’s a lot more involved in firefighting than what most people might think…I just want to be the best firefighter that I can be.”
With a background of working with Fire & Rescue NSW for four years prior to joining the ACT branch, Adrianne Roper is passionate about continuing to work in the job she loves.
“I want to be an active part of the community and help people,” she says.
“If you’re passionate about this kind of work, understanding the whole range of jobs that we do and you think that’s the job for you, then I’d do it… I‘ve enjoyed every single day being a firefighter.”
Like Adrianne, Zoe Skyrianos also decided to become a firefighter to give back to the local community. She says her reasoning “might sound a bit cliche” but after working as a public servant for 15 years she changed careers to ‘do more’.
“You have to put your life on hold for a bit, which is okay.”
“It was definitely a lot of study, and everything was brand new to me, but they break it down from the smallest things and build you up from there…it’s been really rewarding,” she says.
As Pip, Lauren, Adrianne and Zoe get ready join the 18 female firefighters currently in service across the territory, they say for those unsure about joining the team, they recommend giving it a go.
“I’d tell everyone if they’re considering, definitely come apply, including anyone who’s never thought about it!” says Zoe.
“I didn’t think I was going to be a firefighter but I went along to a couple of stations and fell in love with it… I’m sure you’ll fall in love with it, as we all have.”
Feature image: (L-R) Pip d’Ews Thomson, Adrianne Roper, Lauren Thompson, Zoe Skyrianos
