.png "David Hood, Kasey Schoenmaekers, Leon Schoenmaekers, Cameron Hood, Brent McKenzie, Liam Smith, Charlie Giles")
David Hood, Kasey Schoenmaekers, Leon Schoenmaekers, Cameron Hood, Brent McKenzie, Liam Smith, Charlie Giles
Tinamba Fire Brigade Captain, Kasey Schoenmaekers, did not envisage she would be taking up running in the CFA/VFBV State Championships in her forties, but here she is, and loving it.
As a member for twelve years and an Elderly Care Advisor by day, it wasn't until her son became more involved in Champs that the remainder of her family wanted to give it a go.
"Nothing like a 40th revolution to start running!' Kasey said.
"My middle child, who is now in top age under 14's was really enjoying it, and the more we saw, the more we said, we could do this. It seemed fun and exciting, and we wanted to improve our fitness and fit more physical activity in.
"Our youngest daughter and my husband have also joined this year and are running with us at Maffra. We couldn't get my eldest son to run, but he has just signed up as a volunteer firefighter and recently completed his General Firefighter course. The whole family is now breathing CFA."
Only in her second year of running, Kasey said the whole experience has been surprising and she is very grateful for how welcoming everyone has been.
"The Maffra members have been so inviting and patient, especially team members Charlie and Brent. They gave me a 12-month challenge to work towards competing in the hydrant race because last year I thought I would never be able to do it," Kasey said.
"I decided to give it a go at the Hallam demo day and although it is challenging in the heat, I quite liked the sprinting event.
"Now that I've had the encouragement, I'm really looking forward to it this year. Even though some events are harder than others, you push yourself, challenge yourself and you just do it."
Kasey specialities are in the truck, Two Marshall and Y Coupling events, but she also competes in the Wet Hose Striking as the hydrant operator, a skill her son Tyler is quite renowned for.
"I can actually sink a hydrant which is very unexpected. Everyone thinks Tyler got the talent from me, but I think it's because I've watched him so many times, I've worked it out from him!"
"The training is completely different to firefighting training, apart from the hose bowling and rolling, but it really is a great environment."
With camaraderie a key highlight, Kasey also said they have found some of their junior members who are autistic have really benefitted from being involved in the running teams.
"It's a sport that doesn't limit anyone and it really suits them because it's hands-on. They can really grasp it and can go back and forth to connect the dots of all the techniques," Kasey said.
"It's just sad there's not more people out there doing it. Although my kids were never that energetic, and never showed much sporting interest, they absolutely love it.
"They get a taste of it, and understand how fun it really is, and how much they love squirting hoses. It seems they then get motivation to want to get on a truck and to keep moving forward as a senior firefighter – it is fantastic."
Kasey and her family have just moved to Maffra, ten minutes up the road, so will now look to support them too, hopping on the truck if they are able to and at home during the day.
