Physical fitness has always been an integral component of Deidre Dunne’s life. But her latest challenge may be the most rigorous she has ever undertaken.
Ms. Dunne, a newly minted volunteer firefighter in Kippens, is training for the Scot Firefit Challenge, taking place in Halifax later this month. The event is billed as the toughest two minutes in sports.
“I always competed in sports through high school and in university,” Ms. Dunne said. “Last spring, however, I really wanted to improve my fitness level – I was looking for another physical challenge.”
A friend told her about a camp – sponsored by the Marine Institute and Women’s Resource Development Centre – which is for young women who want to learn about fire services, and develop confidence and leadership skills. She checked it out and went for it.
“Camp Glow was one of my most rewarding experiences,” she said. “It sparked a few changes in my life.”
Not only did the camp experience give her something different to do for physical exercise, but it also prompted a new interest – in firefighting.
One of her first acts upon returning to Kippens was to inquire about getting involved in the town’s volunteer fire department. She applied in August 2009 and by October was formally accepted as part of the 20-member group. She is the only female currently on the roster.
“We have meetings every Wednesday night and the guys have been an excellent group to work with. I am treated no differently than anyone else,” she said. “They are all more experienced than me and so I am learning a lot about firefighting from the meetings.”
She has attended two fires so far and participated in all the available training exercises.
“It is good to help out in the community and, for me, that is the most important thing.”
Originally from Corner Brook, Ms. Dunne came to the area seven years ago to work with College of the North Atlantic.
Balancing a full time job, parenting a small child and training for a major challenge has made for a busy summer.
“But I have thoroughly enjoyed it so far and I have had good support along the way,” she said.
The idea to enter the Firefit Challenge also came out of Camp Glow.
“I had seen it on TSN,” Ms. Dunne said, “and during Camp Glow we completed a very scaled back version but even doing that I was hooked.”
Participants were invited to volunteer for a Firefit Challenge in Stephenville the following weekend and she did.
“It was the competitive part that drew me in. I love a physical challenge and Firefit is a true test of strength and endurance.”
Training
Because the Kippens Fire Department is a volunteer group, it has neither the equipment nor the specific training programs geared to the six components of Firefit, namely stair climbing, hose hoisting, forcible entry, running, hose advance and victim rescue. So they have to be creative in developing ways to mimic the challenges Ms. Dunne will face in Halifax.
Fire department members have helped her rig up hoses for the hose hoist and tower climb. She practised lugging tires to mimic hauling the 180-pound Rescue Randy mannequin and ramped up her cardio by doing interval training.
“Running on a treadmill donned in full fire gear is extremely warm and taxing but it will be hot in Halifax so preparations is important,” she said.
A major portion of her training is carried out in the weight room, which she visits every lunch hour four days week to mimic many of the actions and exercises that will be required during the event.
Ms. Dunne considers herself fortunate to have certified fitness trainer, Stephen Lee, design a fitness regimen geared for the six Firefit components that will improve her muscular strength and endurance.
“I have not completed the full course, so race day will tell the tale if my training habits have paid off.”
A lot of other people have helped her along the way – Kippens Fire Chief Tom Doyle and the town’s firefighters; Councilor Barry Noftall; fire department liaison Craig Harnum and his team at the Marine Institute; and her family.
Ms. Dunne would like to qualify for the national challenge in Ontario Labor Day weekend, but for now her main goal is to finish the course.
“As a first-time competitor, [qualifying for the nationals] is a tall order and I know that with the training challenges, it won’t be easy, she said. “But I’m going to give it my best effort.”
