Only last week they were out in horrendous conditions fighting the Pierces Creek fire that threatened to spread into Tuggeranong. Next weekend, these volunteer firefighters will be competing in the gruelling Tough Mudder course at Sydney under the name Team Firestorm.
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But we already know they're tough mothers. And local heroes, to boot, after battling the out-of-control fire.
The firefighters, all members of the ACT Rural Fire Service’s Molonglo brigade, have a mantra each time they head out to a blaze:
“Start as one, finish as one, all come home together."
It was something instilled in them by brigade member Brett Vey, a gardening foreman at the United State Embassy in Canberra, and rural firefighter since 2005.
"I drive trucks at the fire and I feel responsible for my crew. I want us to go out as one and come back as one and have each other's back," Mr Vey said.
The father-of-two from Latham has applied the same one for all, all for one philosophy to the team's Tough Mudder campaign, which became a long-term goal for the brigade.
The volunteer rural firefighters all undergo an annual fitness check but Mr Vey wanted to amp it up a little by holding boot camps for his team members, to encourage camaraderie.
He started regular boot camps with tyre-flipping and battle ropes and asked everyone to have a personal goal, which included something as modest as "being able to do push-ups".
"Watching what has evolved, I'm just blown away," Mr Vey said.
"What people can achieve within themselves is unbelievable."
Team Firestorm is among almost 10,000 participants from across Australia who have signed up for Sydney Tough Mudder mud run, taking part in Glenworth Valley on the Central Coast next Saturday and Sunday, November 17 and 18.
Mr Vey said all but two members of the Tough Mudder team fought the Pierces Creek fire but he could not speak in detail about the conditions as the fire was now under investigation.
But he revelled in being a firefighter.
"I love the camaraderie, the skills you gain and giving back to the community," he said.
More details and registrations at www.toughmudder.com.au