A Fire Fighter performs critical functions in the aviation industry. Fire Fighting is a role that requires one to be ready to fight fires in aircraft and airport buildings. It also provides rescue and first aid services for aircraft passengers and crew, provide technical advice on fire safety and assist in educating users about firefighting and safety.
It is challenging and highly meaningful work. Firefighting at airports offers a unique opportunity to stay fit, help people in a meaningful way and work in a dynamic outdoor team environment. To succeed in this rewarding career, you will require a high level of fitness, be committed to ongoing physical and technical excursions and be comfortable working outdoors.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe Aviation Magazine’s Samantha Tengenyika (ST) caught up with Ruramayi Chibaya (RT) a fire fighter at RG Mugabe International Airport to discuss what it takes to be a fire fighter.
ST: Hello, thank you for giving us time to talk to you. If you could please start off by introducing yourself.
RC: My name is Ruramai Chibaya. I am a female firefighter/ambulance technician based at RGM airport.
ST: How did you get to become a firefighter, is it something you have always wanted to be, or things just happened?
RC: It has always been my passion to be part of the healthcare providers. I have always been drawn to the notion of saving lives ever since my formative years. When we would role play as kids and at school, I would find myself as a nurse or doctor. When the opportunity arose, I applied for the firefighting post in 2015 and its job description is about saving lives and providing emergency medical services.
ST: Tell us about your early years in the aviation industry
RC: Frankly speaking, it wasn’t what I expected but my never- give- up attitude made me take on the challenge and face it. We went through a quasi-military training and as you can imagine, it was a test of everyone in my squad, boys and girls alike. Once the physical and discipline training was out of the way, the technical training of firefighting equipment provided me with a new challenge. From the outside, it appeared to be simple but once in it, it proved otherwise. But looking back, we managed to conquer as a squad through one of the fundamentals of fire and rescue, which is team work.
ST: Are you the only female fire fighter at CAAZ and how does it feel considering that you are in a male-dominated industry.
RC: There are 13 female firefighters among 115 male firefighters at CAAZ. Our roles as women have changed in society, so too has our desire to serve in occupations from which we have previously been excluded. Its something that has not been widely done by women world over. We see ourselves as pioneers and breaking new ground. We pride ourselves in knowing that somewhere out there, we are inspiring a young girl to break barriers and enter a male dominated field and succeed in it.
ST: What are the challenges that you have faced as a female in your line of work
RC: The challenges I have faced are;
a. Inferiority in the industry, but superiority in society. I have had to endure some sort of discrimination at one point or the other.
b. As a woman, you have to go an extra mile to achieve the required fitness and stamina
c. We are all treated as ‘firemen’, we all perform the same duties and training
ST: What are the highs and lows in your profession
RC: Highs
a. We gain physical and mental fitness, which leads to a good and healthy lifestyle b. It builds teamwork spirit in us which actually gives us good rapport in our community
c. It gives joy and happiness in us to be considered heroes in the eyes of the public
d. It’s a profession that helps in the eradication of stress and gives jovial moods
Lows
a. It’s a high risk job which requires a great deal of commitment and passion
b. It’s a male dominated industry and therefore there are some feminine aspects and behaviour one has to drop in order to fit in
c. It requires ever-readiness and preparedness at all times; there is no room for mistakes.
ST: What is the strength that keeps you going while on duty
RC: My strength comes from having to challenge men and prove that I am capable to do what they can do
ST: Any words of advice that you would give to young girls that would like to be firefighters?
RC: A few words of advice to young girls who would like to be firefighters are firefighting is a good, motivating and empowering job. It can motivate one in all aspects of life. As women we were given and born with the power to do anything. We talk of 50/50 gender balance, go for it, express yourself, have the courage to challenge men and even surpass them. The sky is the limit.
