THEY are the people who risk everything to save lives, the heroes who day after day face their fears for the safety of others.

But what does it really take to be a firefighter? Oxford Mail reporter Naomi Herring found out.

It was about five minutes into my 'have a go' session with Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service and half-way through lugging on my firefighter kit, boots and helmet – breaking a sweat – that I started really thinking.

Small details, down to the speed at which I could get into this meticulously prepared gear, could literally mean the difference between life or death.

A daunting thought, and we were only five minutes in.

Once I was suited and booted the team at Abingdon Fire Station, in Ock Street, put me through my paces with a few training exercises including a grip test, the casualty drag and hose running (although more a saunter in my case).

As watch manager Alan McFadyen gave me the instructions I could feel the weight of all the gear bearing heavier at the thought of any exercise under what felt like a tonne of protective kit.

As a 26-year-old of average fitness I was apprehensive – the team around me are heroes, machines, the epitome of strength, and I need to live up to that!

But first up the grip test, a minimum pressure of 35kg needed and being right-handed I passed (surprisingly) but was just 1kg off the pass mark for my left hand.

From here it was on to the casualty drag, hose run and carrying the enormous oxygen tank weighing roughly 16kg.

All basic firefighter tasks but surprisingly difficult under the weight of immense kits – let alone doing it away from a fire station forecourt and when faced with a real fire!

It clearly takes a certain type of person.

But what quickly became clear during my training was that person is not necessarily 'a hulk' in stature or the fastest sprinter of the bunch.

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service has 25 stations across the county, with 529 firefighters not only putting out fires but responding to flooding and water rescue incidents, traffic collisions, animal rescues and health and wellbeing visits – the list goes on.

Whether you're short, tall, male or female, firefighters come in all shapes and sizes.

But but I was surprised to hear only six per cent of our firefighters in Oxfordshire are women.

Station commander of Abingdon, Wantage and Faringdon, Steven Anderson, 49, said: "It is just shifting that historical stereotype, the typical firefighter figure of Fireman Sam for example.

"We want the service to reflect our community, even down to the terminology we use, which should be 'firefighter'.

"It is breaking those stereotypes and for example the more women we can see in stations, the more likely it is to encourage others."

Mum of two Becky Rimmer, 40, said she has always known females to be part of the team in Faringdon and was inspired to join following in her female friend's footsteps.

Now, 19 years later, she said: "My friend would get called out to an incident and I was always so interested in where she had been and found it so exciting.

"Plus I have always loved working with and caring for people.

"I have always known the Faringdon station to have women firefighters, so it has never phased me.

"I can see how walking into an all male station could be daunting, but it shouldn’t be a problem."

Ms Rimmer said that she thinks commitment can sometime concern potential recruits with family.

She added: "It is about understanding there is that flexibility within the fire service and cover to suit each individual."

Firefighters in Oxfordshire will work anything from 40 hours to 120 hours on-call each week and must live within five minutes of their local fire station.

The service also takes on those who work within five minutes of their local station and urges employers to consider the benefits of taking on on-call firefighters, such as the experience they can offer when it comes to first aid.

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service regularly holds 'have-a-go' days to sign up new recruits and is urging more women and other under-represented groups to get involved.

Wantage firefighter Shelley Wright, 23, signed up 18 months ago after seeing a banner outside her local station.

She said: "I never considered it growing up and didn't really know what career I wanted to go into to.

"When I joined, the station hadn’t had a girl there for five years.

"But even now I forget that fact, the chief came along recently and said to me about being the only female and I was like 'oh yeah’ as you just forget.

"That is the point, there is no difference between men and women here, you do the same as males do, same training and everyone has their strength and weaknesses to suit one situation better than another."

The team agreed its just as much about motivation, technique and determination, as it is about the strength of a firefighter.

Taking on a few taster training exercises myself proved difficult.

But in a weird way it all felt achievable – even for an out-of-breath reporter like me – with the addition of a bit more preparation and the mentality of a firefighter.

Of course you can't just walk off the street and pass all the tests to get the gear but if I learnt anything from my 'have-a-go' taster it was that if you have passion and commitment to become a firefighter then it's possible, no matter what stature you are.

Ms Wright added: "Yes it is petrifying every time that alarm goes, but it is a challenge and that adrenaline kicks in knowing someone needs help.

"It was very important to me to have a job where I feel like I am making a difference."

Oxfordshire County Council Fire and Rescue Service is looking for potential recruits –both full time and on-call – to head along to its have-a-go day at Abingdon Fire Station on Saturday.

People, aged 18 and above, will be able to try out basic fire training tasks and hear about what it takes to get signed up.

The day's activities will run from 10am to 2pm and booking is essential at fire.recruitment@oxfordshire.gov.uk

For more details or videos on training tasks see oxfordshire.gov.uk/haveago