An Ordinary Girl doing Extraordinary Things
An Ordinary Girl doing Extraordinary Things
Growing up on a farm had me fighting fires as a kid. For my 3 siblings and I, the excitement of a wildfire was always way too big to stay safely at home. Contrary to our fathers direct orders, we always had to get in there! Any one of my fellow fire fighters will tell you that once you know the smell of burning bush, it will always get your heartbeat racing.
I am finishing a BSc in Geology at Stellenbosch University this year. During a gap year after school I was also involved in volunteer environmental conservation work. When I first discovered the VWS it made sense only to join because to me the organization is a perfect combination of a love for nature and diversity, serving community and a hell of a lot of adrenaline!
I am still very new to it all though. Where you saw me in my yellows with my face covered in black was right after my first fire! Believe me, we do not wish for these fires, but for a new recruit to get some black stains on that striking yellow uniform feels good. It is where we finally become part of the Yellow Family.
Being part of the crew that deployed on 26-27 January to the Franschhoek fire was a fierce introduction to what was to come this season.
The never ending steep hikes on loose rocky mountain sides and gale force winds in combination with getting used to your almost awkward personal protection equipment gave me a good perspective of what is to come. But all those little discomforts fall out of mind when you come to face the flames.
“That is one tough chick. I would go on the line with her again any day.” – Michael Brandt (Fellow Fire Fighter Volunteer commenting on Kirstin’s photo on Facebook)
I am impressed with the firm leadership and well-structured teamwork of my crew. That and all the training during the winter sorts out the nerves of new recruits nicely for that first fire. Don’t get me wrong though, fire fighting doesn’t exactly get boring after that!
I am grateful and proud to be part of the VWS and I’m looking forward to help conserve our biodiversity in managing future wildfires. I recommend joining the VWS to any of you out there who has a love for nature and a sense of adventure! You can join by following this link: www.capefires.com . If fire fighting is not for you but you still want to give your support, you can join our pledge program and donate R50 per month so we can keep doing the things we do!
Article written by: Kirstin Cilliers – Volunteer Fire Fighter