“I’m just going to dive in” isn’t a typical thought one might have when faced with the perils of firefighting. Yet, 22-year-old Brooke Burback’s statement embodies the courage, intelligence, and resilience required to be the first female firefighter in Mountain Brook in over a decade. Growing up in Chelsea, Burback was inspired by her father’s […]
“I’m just going to dive in” isn’t a typical thought one might have when faced with the perils of firefighting.
Yet, 22-year-old Brooke Burback’s statement embodies the courage, intelligence, and resilience required to be the first female firefighter in Mountain Brook in over a decade.
Growing up in Chelsea, Burback was inspired by her father’s long-held aspiration to be a firefighter. “We used to be so curious,” Burback chuckled, recalling how she and her dad would follow fire trucks to observe their activities.
“I remember knowing everyone in Chelsea. It felt like a very small community,” Burback shared.
“I spent my entire life engaged in sports, always outdoors, always putting in effort,” she continued. “During Christmas break, I’d hit the batting cages in Chelsea at midnight with my dad, blaring music.”
After securing a full scholarship to the University of Alabama – Birmingham to play softball, she later transferred to the University of North Alabama, where she concluded her athletic career and earned her marketing degree.
When Burback decided on her major, she believed, “Oh, it’s necessary for everything.” However, like many former athletes, she faced challenges adjusting to the sedentary, 9-to-5 work life.
“I earned my degree, entered the office, but I just couldn’t remain still for 9 hours a day,” she admitted. “I joked with friends, ‘I’ll just quit and become a firefighter.’”
Burback remembered idolizing firefighters who came to demonstrate safety drills at Mt Laurel Elementary School. Their involvement at local sports events left a significant impact on her.
What began as a lighthearted jest about escaping the monotony of office life became a reality after a discussion with Chief Chris Mullins of the Mountain Brook Fire Department.
However, before rushing into burning structures, Burback had to complete a rigorous program filled with daily evaluations, physical conditioning, and training from certified firefighters. She began the 10-week training course at Over the Mountain Regional Training Center in August.
Justin Baker, the lead instructor at OTM-RTC, praised Burback’s performance during the training. “She passed the assumption today, which was monumental,” he mentioned in an interview on Oct. 1. “She also successfully completed the spaghetti drill yesterday, another essential requirement.”
Reflecting on the spaghetti drill, Burback recounted, “They toss all these hoses into a building, all tangled together. The fire blazes, smoke fills the space, it’s pitch black. They hand you a hose line and instruct, ‘Find your way out.’ You can’t stop, and you’re about 200 feet in, questioning, ‘Did I switch? Am I on the correct line?’ But you must push it aside and keep moving.”
Despite entering the training without any firefighting experience, Burback was confident that her athletic background instilled a drive for success within her.
When her college teammates suggested, “Let’s just take it easy, it’s our day off,” Burback would retort, “No, let’s hit the field, let’s get some practice in, let’s do something.”
The discipline she developed from waking up for weights, classes, and softball practice equipped her with the mental and physical stamina to persevere through fatigue.
“The physically toughest aspect is performing everything while on air,” Burback stated. “You tend to overlook your breathing when you’re just moving about. But when you wear the SCBA [self-contained breathing apparatus] mask, you become acutely aware of your breathing; that’s your oxygen source. You need to be mindful of your intake and the next station to reach.”
Baker commended Burback’s dedication, as she tackled each assessment with graduation as her ultimate aim. Nonetheless, mental fatigue stayed with her during the training, as she recognized that, unlike in softball, the fight doesn’t conclude after a limited time. The challenge won’t give way until it tests her to the very limit.
“Mentally, it’s about pushing yourself further than ever,” she remarked. “I’ve gone through so many HIIT [high-intensity interval training] sessions, so many college workouts where you just think, ‘Ugh, keep pushing.’ Here, it’s truly ‘Keep moving. You must. Stopping isn’t an option.’”
At one point during the training camp, Burback found herself marveling at the sheer might of the flames. “We performed a flashover in the burn box,” she recalled. “We all sat there as a class, closely packed, watching the flames roll. I mentioned to my dad, ‘Do you ever sit beneath a wave in the ocean and see it wash over? It’s just like that, but with fire.’”
In the heat of those moments, maintaining composure and a sense of danger is vital for survival.
When asked if she had ever felt frightened, Burback replied, “You’d have to be crazy not to feel scared. There’s an element of thrill, it’s exhilarating, and it’s captivating. But occasionally you’ll find yourself asking, ‘How much air do I have left? Am I okay?’”
Heightened breathing from exertion or fear depletes the SCBA’s limited oxygen, prompting Burback to apply her mental regulation techniques from her softball days.
“When I used to approach the plate, I could feel a bit of a tremble stepping out for the first swing of the day. Then I’d remind myself, ‘Stop, breathe, reset. Hold for five,’” Burback explained.
Equipped with newfound knowledge, strength, and maturity, Burback graduated from OTM-RTC in November. Being the first woman to step into a firefighting position at the Mountain Brook Fire Department in over ten years, she faces perceived disadvantages in a male-dominated field.
However, Burback chooses not to let others use her gender to set her apart from her male colleagues. She asserts that women are entirely capable of occupying this role.
“I enjoy working with all the guys here. Physically, it’s just about matching their efforts. You want to challenge yourself further to outperform them. But everyone has their unique hurdles. It’s about knowing your own strengths; for example, I know I can maneuver faster on the floor,” Burback quipped.
“There’s a stereotype that women are overly emotional, but I don’t observe that frequently,” she continued. “Having three older brothers, playing sports, and a strict upbringing from my dad, I don’t perceive a significant mental or emotional disparity between myself and the guys.”
While scrutiny may be directed toward Burback regarding her performance against her male peers, she clings to her self-assurance and disregards distractions that could hinder her ability to save lives.
“My primary advice is to understand yourself,” Burback emphasized. “You may encounter many voices suggesting, ‘You won’t be able to lift as much as them.’ And that’s alright. If you genuinely desire something, go after it.”
For anyone entering a field where they may feel belittled or apprehensive, Burback concluded with an encouraging message: “Go for it. Don’t allow anyone to claim you’re too small, not strong enough, or that only men can do this job. No. No one can hold you back.”
