I passed! I took the physical exam yesterday afternoon. I was freaking out about it all week because last weekend I took the practice exam and it didnt go so well. I had alot of trouble with the ladder extension(35 ft). So the day after the practice exam I went to home depot, bought myself a rope, a pulley, and some hooks, and I set up my own way to practice. I did that all week and when I went home early on friday, I went up to the fire house and tried the ladder extension again. I busted it out easy! So I went into the test with all the confidence. So test day comes around and I'm feeling good. I'm so anxious cause I just wanna get the damn thing over with. Oh wait, why is this dept so important to you? you may ask. This is my hometown dept. I got my start here. I was a part of the rider program for two years in high school. Ever since that I've been hanging out with them like I didnt skip a beat. My ride time was 5 years ago. So getting on this dept is a dream of mine. So I drive up to the test and I notice there are like 20 guys working the test. Oh man, intimidating. Right when I drive up, one of my fireman buddies jumps on the back of my car and asks me if I'm ready. I sign in and a few lieutenants and the chief come up to talk to me. Then we go downstairs to see the video and the guy doing the video is a really nice guy who I've known since I was 16. He asked the other candidates, "Do you guys know what a chia pet is?" Then he points at me, "She's our chia pet." Haha. Cause they've been grooming me and keeping track of me since I was 16. I'm 23 now! I'm not gonna lie, the guys were giving me special attention because they all know me, but I didnt care. These guys are family to me and it meant alot to know they were cheering for me. So the test was the hardes thing I've ever done. And believe me, i've done alot through my 4 years of being a D1 athlete. I just barely made it, too. haha. We get 7:20 and I finished in 6:59. At least I passed! During the hardest two parts, the hose drag(200 ft of deuce and a half, pull for 200 ft) and the dummy drag(140lb dummy drag 50 ft), all the guys were walking with me and cheering me on. When I would struggle they would yell at me to keep moving. The dummy drag was the last thing. When i crossed the finish line i sat down for 15 mins and could not move! Haha. They took off all my gear and helped me to my feet and everything. When I crossed the finish line, my exact quote was, "I love you guys. I love you guys." Hahaha. Those guys cheering me on during the test, and all of them coming up to me and congratulating me, them helping me recover, that's the #1 reason why I want to work for EGVFD! I LOVE THOSE GUYS!