Antarctic Fire Angels: The female firefighters preparing to travel 1180 miles across Antarctica
Interview by Tom Warburton
I’m sure most of you have sat around with your mates and thought of a crazy idea, what about a groundbreaking expedition across Antarctica? No, I thought not.
Dure Magazine caught up with the Antarctic Fire Angels, a group of firefighters who are attempting to be one of the first teams to cross Antarctica.
The team are planning on embarking on a route never previously completed by an all-female team.
This expedition will take them over 1,180 miles across unforgiving terrain in harsh weather. They hope to set off in 2023.
So tell us a bit about yourselves and how did you all meet?
Rebecca Rowe: I had been introduced to Nakita at a women’s fire service weekend where the expedition challenge idea was born and a couple of weeks later she asked a group of us if anyone was interested. I replied back in seconds with an ‘I am extremely interested and please consider me for it!’ Soon after she told me I was in!
Nikki Upton: I already knew Nakita as we’re at neighbouring stations in London and did Take Me Out together! She asked me to be the last member of the team and I didn’t even think twice about it being something that I had to be involved in! A month later and us three ‘LAFA’s’ were travelling down to Wales for our first official team meeting!
Georgina Gilbert: Initially Nakita and I were both listening to Sophie, one of the Ice Maidens talk about her adventure in Antarctica! I obviously knew Alison as we work together but asking her to join the team was a no brainer! Her resilience, endurance, tenacity and respect she has as a Firefighter and as senior management in the service, her personality and character was the perfect fit for the team! The London half of the team - Bex and Nikki I met at Caerphilly fire station for the first time.
From there, we became the most awesome team in the world!
Nikita Ross: I had been involved in teaching urban search and rescue for the Women in the Fire Service (WFS) training and development event. Georgina had attended one of my workshops and we had kept in touch! Bex had also attended one of my workshops and was on the same shift pattern and we had planned to do some races together in the future. Nikki works at my neighbouring station so we would regularly see each other. I feel extremely lucky to have met the girls when I did because everyone brings a unique dynamic to the team which helps drive this forward.
Photo: Henrique Setim
Why did you decide to attempt this awesome challenge?
Nakita Ross: In 2019 we had the pleasure of listening to Sophie Montagne. She was one of the team members of the army team, the Ice Maidens. They were the first team of women to cross the Antarctic and it was incredibly inspiring. Spotted George afterwards and we had the same idea! We felt an expedition like this could be a challenge to show others what you can achieve through life’s challenges.
Georgina Gilbert: I've always had a strong sense of adventure. I love mountains and love being outdoors but have always considered bigger challenges a little out of reach. A few years ago I started to plan a 7 summits challenge, to do it in a record-breaking time but when potential sponsors ask if you have a disability or missing a limb it became clear that being a woman in a world that is dominated by men, being the first woman to attempt this challenge clearly wasn't enough or didn't hit headlines of the time. The world wasn't ready for women to take their position in extreme adventure.
The decision to do Antarctica felt like the right time to launch the fact that ordinary women can do extraordinary things.
Alison Kibblewhite: It is an opportunity of a lifetime and I am in the final part of my fire service career and think it’s a great way to try and give something back to the fire service family and show what women can do.
Nikki Upton: When Nakita asked me to be the last member of the team there was honestly not a single fibre of my being that considered saying no. We have a message that is so important to me, and to be given the chance to spread this message far and wide whilst pushing my own body and mind to the limits was simply something I couldn’t refuse.
Rebecca Rowe: I have always loved challenging myself mentally and physically and this expedition will certainly test them both. Antarctica is one of the world's beauties and to be able to have the chance to go there and experience the continent will be amazing. The expedition is also raising awareness for causes close to my heart, inspiring others to achieve their goals and challenges is really important to me as well as getting women to believe in themselves. Also, mental health is something everyone lives with at varying levels and to make the world more aware of this and those struggling speak out is an important message we are trying to promote.
What route are you taking and are there any challenging areas?
Nakita Ross: We will be starting at Berkner Island and making our way to the South Pole, then down towards the Queen Maud Mountains and onto the Ross Ice Shelf. I think the most challenging area will be the temptation to stop and stay at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station and enjoy a bit of (dare I say) normality! Could throw everyone off their game and affect the rest of the expedition.
Georgina Gilbert: Crevasses at the start and end will be challenges that we hope we won't have to experience for real especially on the Axel Heiberg as this will be at the end of our expedition when we will be tired, running low on supplies and our kit will be dirty and not functioning as well as it would at the start.
Being trained firefighters must come in handy when dealing with difficult situations, do you think you’ll be able to utilise your skills and experiences whilst in Antarctica?
Georgina Gilbert: Teamwork! If there is anything that will get us through the most difficult times it will be our fire service training that is ingrained in all of us.
Alison Kibblewhite: Yes we certainly will. The main skills of teamwork and communications are vital in our roles in the fire service. Being calm under pressure and quick decision making will be skills we all have in abundance. Risk assessment and safety are things we do on a daily basis
Nikki Upton: Certain elements will come in handy - I have a line rescue capability that can be transferred to crevasse rescue training. Our ability to work in pressured situations, and as a firefighter, teamwork is imperative so that’s something we already work well in.
What type of things have you been doing to help prepare?
Nakita Ross: We have been getting incredibly organised and especially with working with lockdown restrictions. We have the next few years completely mapped out, with our courses and training we need to complete prior to stepping on the ice. We have become extremely familiar with our tyres, dragging them across the countryside to help train our bodies ready for pulling those pulks! We are looking forward to more team training in more extreme environments as soon as we can!
Georgina Gilbert: A combination of strength and endurance-based activities. Alison and I have been doing ultra events such as a 12 hours climb of Pen y Fan in the summer where we repeatedly climbed the mountain non-stop for 12 hours! We've also been clocking up the miles on the Wales Coastal Path - the scenery helps a lot with the mental impact of this. Tyre pulling is the bread and butter and I generally combine this with walking the dogs!
Rebecca Rowe: I have been listening to many polar explorer expedition podcasts, learning about the problems they encountered, the prep they did and the routes they took. I think it’s so important to learn from others experiences. I have also been pulling tyres around, running, weights and learning about the continent itself.
What are the biggest risks you’ll face whilst out in Antarctica?
Nakita Ross: Antarctica is a risk in itself and I don’t think we should take anything for granted out there. We must be aware of every danger we can face, from the change in weather to crevasse fields and to our own health.
Georgina Gilbert: The weather is the biggest factor, with record-breaking wind speeds, the temperature plummets. It's extremely important that we stay ahead of the game and plan when to stop and hunker down for the duration of the storm. Knowing individual limits of temperature toleration is vital.
Group dynamics are so important on an expedition like this, are there any worries that things could come to blows whilst out on the ice?
Nakita Ross: We have a great advantage on this subject. Not only have we got many other explorers before us to learn from but also our experience as operational firefighters. We are all very aware of how people can be affected by exhaustion and mood changes. With this in mind, we have been open and honest with each other knowing these moments will occur. What greater way to solve this with humour!! We have created the emoji patch system where we can place on ourselves how we feel. Or we will wrestle them to the ground until they cheer up.
Alison Kibblewhite: Well I wouldn’t stand much of a chance being the smallest and oldest. I could run and hopefully, they wouldn’t catch me. Age and treachery are on my side.
Nikki Upton: I’m sure there will be times where we clash. However, I think so long as we are open and honest with each other about how we’re coping, I’m confident we can tackle problems as a team. We’re also planning on getting emoji stickers as a way of assisting our communication - so if we’re having a rubbish day we can just put the ‘poo’ emoji on our jackets and the others will know we’re struggling!
What’s one luxury item you couldn’t live without on the expedition?
Nakita Ross: My dogs! Do they count as a luxury item? I will miss them so much. Oh and a hot shower!! I think just staying warm and fed will keep me happy on the trip.
Georgina Gilbert: Turkish Delight. If I run out, I'd pay to have it flown out!
Alison Kibblewhite: For me it’s coffee. I drink quite a lot of it but will have to wean myself off and perhaps have 1 cup a day
Nikki Upton: I’d love to make sure I can take lip balm! Sounds silly but I can’t be without it!
Rebecca Rowe: I’m hoping I can make cheese! I couldn’t go for 3 months without it!
You’re raising funds for three great charities, can you tell us a little bit why they’re so important to your cause and expedition?
Georgina Gilbert: The Firefighters charity was the first one in all our thoughts. It supports firefighters and their families with medical support for injuries and mental health support. It’s a fantastic organisation that all of us have access whilst we are firefighters and after we retire.
The Harlequins Foundation works with and supports so many young people through sport. Each of us fire angels lives a life of sport and we know how good it is for your physical health but your mental health.
Nikki Upton: The Fawcett Society works hard to teach the world about a woman’s worth, and how it is equal to a mans. Something we feel strongly about.
The team is split between Wales and London, and team member Rebecca is a retired Welsh international rugby player, is there a friendly rivalry between the two countries?
Nakita Ross: We are all so competitive so any excuse for a bit of fun!
Nikki Upton: Well we joke that even though we are 3 LAFAs and 3 WAFAs, there is only one real Londoner, (Nakita) as I’m from Southampton! But we all have a great love of Wales, so definitely all have that in common!
Rebecca Rowe: I’m always winding the English girls up that they are in the minority and Welsh is best!
If you want to find out more about the team’s amazing expedition you can check out their website at https://antarcticfireangels.co.uk/ or to donate to their amazing charities take a look at their GoFundMe page https://www.gofundme.com/f/antarctic-fire-angels