Heather Murray is a past Rotary exchange student who was sent to Italy in 2010-2011. Shehas since moved to B.C to study at the University of British Columbia and, uponcompletion of her degree, joined the B.C wildfire service where she works as awildfire fighter.
When Heather finished her degree at UBC, she wanted to give back, so of course she joined the BC wildfire service in 2017. Her initial call up for training in March, Heather had a broken arm and therefore, was unable to attend. However, she was able to join later at the Kamloops base in July 2017. It was the start of the fire season, with a fire she knows as #637 but called Elephant Hill in news. On her first day fitness test there was smoke in the air and Heather had a reaction to it and she was having second thoughts about her career. However, it passed.
Very early, she was sent on Helicopter training. Helicopters are light and fragile and subject to air pressure. They have to learn to exit the helicopter without landing as at times there is no place to land. They have to remove the doors and exit through the skids.
However, during Heather's helicopter training was aborted due to a call out to respond to a fire.
On her first flight over a fire was eye opening, the smoke, heat, a beast. Nature is very powerful.
One of her first tasks was to tackle a fast moving fire on the side of a steep hill (60% incline). She and her partner had to carry equipment up this slope trying to get around fire. As a fire fighter, they carry supply packs weighing about 25 lbs, plus their 'pulaski' weighing about 6 lbs, and several hoses for total weight of about 100 to 125 lbs.
On this occasion, Heather got her boot stuck while the fire moved towards her.
Heather works with an initial wildfire attack crew, who locate new fires via helicopter, look for water sources, access roads, they cut trail, goal to stop fire before gets going. They also have to put out fire, then chase hot spots, dig down, pour water and dig some more repeatedly to ensure fire is out.
She has found wildfires humbling. Seconds can make a difference. Winds shift, and wildfires can travel fast.
Heather also commented on the bias's and sexism in this traditional male work place. She notes that there is work to be done in Canada. People need to be advanced for ability.
R Daniel thanked Heather for her presentation.