No trouble taking the heat in this job
THIS former cop turned firefighter has never shied away from a challenge – especially when it comes to taking on her male counterparts.
One of just 13 female firefighters on the Gold Coast, second class firefighter Kristee Staples has been defying gender stereotypes for years.
The 34-year-old was in the police force for 10 years before landing a job with Queensland Fire and Emergency Services three years ago.
“The training was physically and mentally demanding, but I didn’t have any issues (fitting in),” Ms Staples said. “Coming from a maledominated job (at the police service), it was easier for me.
“As a female firey you need to be at the same level. You go to the same job (as male firefighters). They don’t say: ‘You’re female you go there’ and ‘you’re male so you go there.’
“‘I’m a firefighter’, that’s the right headspace to be in, you do the exact same thing.”
She said there was a rigorous recruitment process including online tests, taking part in an obstacle course, having face-to-face interviews and going before a panel to be interviewed.
And there was always a high number of applicants with few vacancies, meaning she had to wait four years before she could get in.
“But it’s worth it,” she said. “I’d never go back, I love it.”
Ms Staples said she enjoyed the challenges being a firefighter had brought her, including battling fires, taking part in vertical rescues and even saving animals.
“I do love a good animal job, where you go to a fire and save a dog,” she said.
“We had a job where we saved six guinea pigs at a house fire.
“We found them next to the fridge actually, weren’t looking very when we got to them.”
Amazingly, the guinea pigs survived after a mobile vet was called out to care for them.
But Ms Staples said it was her first ever fire that was her most memorable.
“I’ll never sort of forget that first job,” she said, adding she had to put on a breathing apparatus for the first time in a real-life situation.
“Initially it was highly intensive as we had reports of people missing, luckily it was vacated so it was clear, but we had to do search and rescue techniques. they good
“Luckily at the end of the day the fire was under control and confined to one part of the house.”
Ms Staples said it didn’t matter what gender or background someone had as long as they could do the job.
“I’ve never been made to feel uncomfortable, I’ve been made to feel a part of the crew,” she said.
“It should be based on how they do their job, not gender.
“My career’s about protecting people and property, it’s a proactive and reactive role.
“For me the career change has been really rewarding and I’m enjoying the challenges it has.”