my dream of becoming a woman firefighter

[h20queen]

it has always been a dream of mine to become a firefighter, i love the intense adrenaline and every aspect about the job, however im really out of shape. i have come back to eating better and working out but dont know where to start on training for being a firefighter anyone got any suggestions?!

[Mindi912]

LOL on the front it comes up as - My Dream of becoming a woman.....

I was intrigued so I had to look (sorry thought you were troll)

but anyways that's really cool good luck with everything :)

never had any firefighter friends but off the top of my head I would think you'd have to get a really great balance of fitness and strength

whatever you are going to do you are going to need to get the balance right between cardio and weights

you might wanna repost this over in the exercise section and get both a ladies and a guys opinion

[NotTooLate]

Here I think you have to have a year of University education, a year of community service, and pass a serious physical ability test. Not sure what else.

[h20queen]

thanks guys i appreciate your comments

[JerrysGirl]

I think for wildfires you have to pass the pack test.
45 min hike fully loaded with gear.

Just call your local fire department or better the city.
They should have some information, how about the job service?
That would probably get you a start on the technicalities. Exercisewise, start lifting and do cardio.

[jetsjunke]

I just went thru Fire School, You need Endurance! They run your ass off 5 miles a day plus other circuit training. Start running now and buy good running shoes made for running on concrete thats where all your running will be on.

[Mindi912]

I just went thru Fire School, You need Endurance! They run your ass off 5 miles a day plus other circuit training. Start running now and buy good running shoes made for running on concrete thats where all your running will be on.

just out of interest what all did the test include?

[yogastrong]

Here in TX you have to be an EMT to be a firefighter too, obviously thats a training issue not physical but I wanted to pass that on, it might be something that you need to look into to.

[Angelfish]

I too have become interested in this. Not a career firefighter but a volunteer. I would say it is quite different here in New Zealand as to what you have to do. I found infomation online as to what is expected - perhaps there is similar info for your area. Also talking to people already working as a firefighter would be especially helpful. One of my friends who is a policeman has given me interesting insight.
Anyways, I am just continuing focus on building fitness and strength for now.

Good luck!

[SpaceCakeGirl]

Um, google "fire fighter PT test" ? I did and this link popped up immediately:
http://www.topendsports.com/testing/forces-fire-fighters.htm
with aspects from lots of different FF physical training tests.

I'd say initially, since you're "really out of shape", you should just start training like a woman who just got into weight lifting. Once you're more physically fit you can focus on FF specific activities (like running up and down ladders with however many pounds of equipment on!)

Stumptous (http://www.stumptuous.com/cms/index.php) is a really good place to start with the basics of weight lifting, technique, and programs. There's also information on diet and cardio. Also the book Body For Life does a nice job of explaining the basic muscles and demonstrating different exercises for the basic muscles.

Figure out how you want to split up your body (upper/lower, push/pull, 3-day split, 5-day split, there's so many ways! Just pick one that works with your schedule), find basic exercises for each muscle group and do 1-3 difference exercises with 3 sets of 8ish reps with whatever weight you can manage.

As for running, the only way you're going to be able to run five miles is by running five miles. When people first start running, a lot of the time they have to start with a jog/walk program. When I started I jogged a min/walked 3 min. Then I bumped up my jogging until I was jogging for 1.5/walking for 3. Then I decided to train for a 5k and tried to run 3 miles just to see if I could and WOW! I could. Nearly killed me though! But it took me a few months to get there. There are plenty of running programs on the internet, google "couch to 5k" or "couch to 10k" to get running schedules set up for you. Good luck!

[Mrs_Muscles]

You could also check with community colleges in your area. One in my area offers a fire science course. It includes a lot of the physical fitness stuff, but also trains you for the job. I used to work near one of their training towers and they were always setting things on fire and putting them out. And... running up and down all those stairs in the tower in full gear. Now that sounds like a workout! People going through it have pretty good luck landing a job.

[Simpy]

My husband's a firefighter. Locally they only do a one mile run test. They also do another series of physical events to test, but I can't remember the acronym for that. It includes a dummy drag, hose pull, stepmill climb and four other things that I can't remember. All of this is done with an 80 pound weighted vest. Being strong and generally 'in shape' is great and never hurts. But, truthfully, in order to get good at these events you have to practice the specific event.

Good luck.