Daughter, mother, firefighter joins Imbil fire station

ELEANOR Hall is a daughter, a mother and an auxiliary firefighter.

ONE OF THE TEAM: Auxiliary firefighter Eleanor Hall says any mums who have put their dreams on hold should “just do it”. Picture: Craig Warhurst

ELEANOR Hall is a daughter, a mother and an auxiliary firefighter.

In October 2012, she made the life changing decision to join the Imbil Fire Station and she has never looked back.

"My Dad was a firefighter and when my youngest kids started school I decided to look for a career," Ms Hall said.

"I saw the advertisements for firefighters and I thought I would give it a go."

Ms Hall has attended more than 40 call outs in the past 14 months.

She has completed varying degrees of training including Level One Vertical Rescue to give her the capabilities to perform dangerous rescue operations.

She has also completed training to carry out swift water rescues.

Ms Hall has attended house fires, grassfires and car accidents and it is the community which makes her job so rewarding.

"It's about helping someone in the worst moment of their lives," she said.

"My favourite project is Fire Ed.

"We go to grade one classes and show them what real firefighters look like.

"I love the kids and I love it when the little girls call me a "girl-fireman.

"It feels like I'm giving something back to the community."

And in a male-dominated world, Ms Hall has found her niche.

"There was a shock about a female firefighter at first but it wasn't long before I became one of the crew," she said.

"I don't want to be seen as a weak link and I work with great blokes; we rely on each other.

"Being in the minority and having my parents and kids proud of me is what drives me."

As well is fighting flames, her most important job is being a mum.

She is a mother to four children, so multi-tasking is required every day.

After hours of dealing with disaster, she still manages to get dinner on the table.

"Being a mum is my first priority but my kids are independent and when the pager goes off for an emergency, it's like I have a pit crew," Ms Hall said.

"One grabs my water bottle, the other grabs my hair band and then it's 'be safe, we love you Mum, bye' and I'm out the door.

"They love being a part of it and my sons have gained a different viewpoint of me; I don't just feed them or wash their clothes.

"Now they will have positive viewpoint of women they will date in the future and it's good for all of the kids to see me out in the community."

And Ms Hall has a message this International Women's Day for any Mum's who have put their dreams on hold.

"If you want to do something, just do it," she said.

"It's scary but the benefits and confidence far outweigh the negatives."