Daniella Belise promoted to leading firefighter |07 May 2018

‘Determined to persevere and be successful’

Daniella Belise is a young female firefighter who is determined to fulfill her childhood dream career and has gone to great lengths to achieve that. After four years as a firefighter she was, on Friday, promoted to leading firefighter and was the only female among a group of 10 officers who received promotion.

“I’ve been in the job for the past four years and it is in fact my childhood dream which has come true as I always wanted to be a firefighter,” the 31-year-old revealed to Seychelles NATION.

This is a true fact because before she eventually cleared all doubts about where her true interest really lies, Ms Belise had trained to be a dental surgery assistant, a job she did for four years in a private clinic and another three years in public dental health.

“When one looks at it, firefighting and dentistry are two fields that are really far from being related but I do not see it that way. I can do First Aid and this is something I can always apply anywhere if the need arises and it will always connect me with my previous field of work. The important thing remains that I made the decision to pursue the career of my dreams and I am really happy now,” the young woman affirmed with conviction.

“Frankly, the job is not an easy one for a woman and it is mostly the men who are at the forefront but I can assure you that the few women in the profession work hard and show we are a force alongside the men,” she stressed, but admitted though that it is really not an easy job.

“The training itself is really tough, rigorous and challenging and as a firefighter you need this kind of training as you always have to be prepared and ready for all eventualities,” Ms Belise pointed out.

Even though she has not yet been present physically on a scene to put out a fire, Ms Belise believes the simulation exercises, the continuous drills and other training she goes through have prepared her to jump on a truck and be deployed on a scene to deal with a fire.

For the time being she is carrying out other duties in the prevention unit, mostly inspecting public facilities and businesses to ensure they have the required basic fire prevention kits and that they are up-to-date and know what to do in any eventuality that a fire starts.

Ms Belise said she is very grateful for all the support and encouragement she receives from her male peers and female colleagues.

“They are very supportive and this encourages and motivates me a lot and pushes me to continue to give the best of myself in whatever I do,” she said.

“The promotion is the fruit of all my hard work and I am really happy and proud,” Ms Belise said beaming.

She has been promoted from firefighter to leading firefighter and for that she has thanked all her peers whose words of advice she has heeded.

“I have listened to the words of advice. I have worked hard to learn and get the knowledge to be more professional and this is what I have done and will continue to do,” she adds.

But she admits that the exams leading up to the promotion were not easy.

Noting the challenges that will come with the new position and the added responsibilities which will be assigned to her in the coming weeks and months, Ms Belise said she is prepared and ready to work harder to overcome them in order to excel.

The mother of two, whose partner is also a firefighter, said she is grateful for the family support and understanding she receives, adding that this encourages her in her career.

“Like in all professions one has to make a lot of sacrifices as a firefighter. Leaving your family to go to work on weekends, public holidays is hard but you get accustomed to it as you do what you have chosen to do with your heart. You have chosen the profession and you have a duty to respond to and deliver whenever duty calls,” she stressed.