Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by michael tyndall on January 28, 2009 at 5:24pm

height dont matter but its good to be in shape for the stress on your body while working a call

Permalink Reply by jgirl0809 on January 28, 2009 at 5:53pm

I am assuming the person is in shape.. height/weight are proportioned and the person is in good physical condition. Most females are shorter than most males. While I agree size doesnt always matter, sometimes some of the jobs which must be done on scene require leverage, carrying equipment, etc.

Permalink Reply by Elizabeth on January 29, 2009 at 2:38pm

Well i do think weight does count . i have got some pounds on me now and some of the fires i have been to have well just toke it out of me so i think i need to step it up and work out a little more . LOL

Permalink Reply by Kari on March 22, 2009 at 10:32am

Height/ weight really doesn't matter when your working a fire because there is always a place for you. The smaller people fit in smaller places. The bigger people can hold the hose better than a small person. I'm the shortest and the lightest on my department and the guys always find something for me to do.

Permalink Reply by Holly on July 28, 2009 at 6:20am

When I first joined 2 yrs. ago I was a bit nervous about having more weight on me and less muscle for my height than a man. A few of the guys at my station kinda took me in and boosted my confidence. I haven't felt disadvantaged by my body just my mind.

Permalink Reply by Robin Dail on August 1, 2009 at 11:37am

Height and weight are only a disadvantage if you try to do something you are too short to do (sometimes in overhaul) or try to do something you don't have enough a$$ to effectively use larger equipment. However, most of the time you can compensate by working in the areas suited to your abilities rather than your limitations. You don't always have to prove you can be a bull in a china shop, sometimes speed and finess are more important. Find a mentor on the department or another department to help you figure out where you can serve best.

Permalink Reply by Jessica Colleen Brown on October 18, 2009 at 11:33pm

i'm only an explorer for now, but i'm gonna pursue a firefighting career, & i'm 6'4", i hope my height don't get n the way

Permalink Reply by C. McNutt Terrell on October 29, 2009 at 8:20pm

Lucky to have had the best instructor's! They taught us that it's about technique. There were several short guys. On he day of the agility test to get into the Fire Academy, several Officers lost bets & continued to lose them on me 'till 3/4 of the way through! Found out about their loses after working with them!

Permalink Reply by Courtney Husband on November 3, 2009 at 5:26pm

I'm in a fire explorer program in Macomb IL right now its a great experience i love it. the guys support me and help me if i need it and give me advise to do things better. I'm about 5'8'' and weigh about 125 to 130 pounds and my arms seem short when we go to the training site. But Height and Weight is a bit different compared to the guys they weigh more than me.. I am going to pursue a firefighting career. im hoping to join a volunteer dept. in August.

Permalink Reply by Naomi Nichols on November 9, 2009 at 9:28am

Yes it matters. Of course it matters. This is hard, hard work with heavy tools and gear. Technique can make up for some height and weight deficit. Teamwork with good technique helps alot. Its not fair that the big guys don't have to worry about that and can just muscle through.

The bottom line is hose is heavy, fire is hot, gear never fits right, and nobody is born with the perfect body for this job. Get in the gym. Study your craft. Train. Do your share and a little more. Know your weakness and work to overcome it. Know your crew's weakness and work to overcome that as well. Get the job done.

Permalink Reply by Lisa Acton on November 10, 2009 at 4:18pm

sometimes i think a little height for leverage, but the advantage is that we can fit into some places the men can't! Also when you need a low profile to fit in tight spaces i can ussually fit with out taking off my pack. The guys can't.

Permalink Reply by dee houston on November 10, 2009 at 9:29pm

I agree with the fact that you have several advantages to being smaller than the guys. I am 5'6" 125 lbs and fit in most tight spaces that my guys cant. I also have the disadvantage of not being not quite as strong as our guys that are 6'3... It is not as easy for me to take the end of a hose like our big boys but that is where my engineer has the knowledge to see who is at the end of a hose and adjust the pressure for me and the smaller guys. But I am very fortunate to have guys and instructors that teach how to do adapt. I think that is the key factor in most of our work is to learn how to adapt-improvise-and overcome our tasks.

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