Firemen Recruits pursue dream job By Emily Stone Free Press Staff Writer A person standing at the open bay of Burlington Fire Station 2 on Wednesday could hear the whacking of a sledgehammer in one ear and the sound of retching in the other. Inside the station, a firefighting hopeful ran through the department's rigorous physical test, which includes a round of 50 hits on a metal peg with a sledgehammer. Just outside, the most recent recruit through the test sat on a bench, hunched over and vomiting in a trash bin. "We have an ambulance ready to take them to the hospital, and that has happened in years past," said Assistant Fire Marshal Thomas Middleton. The 69 recruits started Tuesday by taking written and psychological exams. Thirty-nine passed and went on to take the physical exam Wednesday. Twenty-nine of those recruits completed the seven-part physical test in the required four minutes and will be scheduled for interviews. "Every little boy wants to be a firefighter," said Chris Dooley, 32, of South Burlington after he finished the test in the required time. He said he trained by loading a backpack with 70 pounds of dumbbells and wearing it around the house and to do yard work. He also did 100 sledgehammer hits a few times a week. There is one opening with the Burlington Fire Department, Middleton said. The recruits who pass their tests this week will qualify for that position and will go on a list that the department will use to fill new openings for the next year or two. All of the 29 who passed Wednesday were men. Two women failed the physical exam. Many of the prospectives volunteer with smaller fire departments and want to make firefighting a full-time job. Burlington has about 80 full-time firefighters. Recruit Kevin O'Brien has volunteered with the Waterbury department for 21 years. He is an instructor with the state Fire Academy and has taught some of the Burlington firefighters who were watching the tryouts. O'Brien, 38, an auto parts salesman, said he has toyed with the idea of becoming a full-time firefighter for years. He finally decided to go for it. He loves the interaction with people and the camaraderie of firefighting, he said. "You can go to any firehouse in any country, and you'll be welcomed with open arms," he said. The seasoned veterans watching the tests echoed the recruits' enthusiasm. "It really is the greatest job in the world," said Capt. Jim Hendry. He and Middleton said they do stop in at fire stations around the world whenever they are on vacation. "It drives our wives nuts," Middleton said. Recruit Arthur Bergeron said that becoming a firefighter is a "lifelong dream." He has volunteered with the Grand Isle department for five years and practiced for Wednesday's test with a fellow volunteer at night at the Grand Isle station. He said he grew up across the street from a fire station in Boston and has always been drawn to a career in the firehouse. "It's a good feeling getting up in the morning and knowing that you're going out to help someone," he said. Contact Emily Stone at 660-1898 or estone@bfp.burlingtonfreepress.com