Q1. Who came up with the name ‘Antarctic Fire Angels’?
George – Ok so officially, Beci’s children came up with the name – when asked they said “Well my mam is a firefighter and an angel” so that’s where it stayed and turned into the Antarctic Fire Angels!
Nakita – George and I had sat in a pub in Clapham Junction after a meeting with Sophie from the Ice Maidens Army Team. We knew it had to be special. Various words and phrases scribbled across the page, a work in progress. When we started recruiting the team Beci had gone home to tell her children who then came forward with the fire angel concept.
Q2. What is your favourite food?
Nikki – A burger; not McDonalds (that’s an insult to the name burger) but like a proper pub burger with lots of fillings and sauce – yummy! I also love Greek, Thai, Italian, the list goes on!
George – On the savoury side; salmon with noodles, nice and simple. In fact I’m not that overly keen on complicated food! Sweet; Turkish delight.
Bex – I love cheese! Something I will really miss in the Antarctic!
Alison – I love seafood. Any kind of seafood but particularly prawns and mussels. I could eat them in every meal.
Beci – I can’t chose a favourite. I love food. The only thing I can narrow down is the small group of foods I don’t like (anything aniseed / liquorice flavour).
Nakita – This is really hard for me. Over the last year I’ve had to give up a lot of favourite foods as I seem to have a reaction to certain food groups. Currently have to be gluten free and dairy free which is cruel as I love pizza and cheese!! But a roast lamb with all the veg trimmings is safe……my Mum is the best at this!!
Q3. What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
Alison – Engage your brain before your mouth. Think before you say something you may regret basically.
The other one relates to work and it was from a more senior officer who said no matter what you turn up to on an incident – look calm when you arrive. Take a few minutes to assess the scene and then detail the crew to carry out actions. If you are calm they will be calm.
Bex – Rest and recovery is as important as training so always factor it in!
Nakita – If you worry about what other people think of you, then you will have more confidence in their opinion than you have in your own.
Beci – To question your feelings, not just accept them as they present. Ask why and try to change it.
George – Be the person you needed when you were growing up.
Nikki – Have faith in yourself – you can do this.
Q4. What item in your wardrobe do you wear most?
Beci – My skinny jeans and selfish mother sweaters.
George – Shorts and flip flops or pyjamas.
Bex – Jeans, I love a good pair of jeans in many colours.
Alison – Jeans. I am always in jeans black, blue, white, patterned.
Nakita – Gym leggings…..I live in them! Working out, dog walking and as casual wear. Totally addicted. Sooo comfy!!
Nikki – Gym kit! I literally live in the stuff.
Q5. Why did you decide on the Antarctic and not somewhere warmer like the Sahara?
George – Well, that was down to Sophie from the ice maidens! But there’s no reason why an expedition to a hot place would be out of the question.
Nakita – Completely inspired by the Ice Maidens Team. George and I could of chosen somewhere different (and warmer), but the idea of the contrast between fire and ice, going into an environment completely opposite to our role as firefighters we hope would add to our inspirational challenge.
Nikki – I think the Antarctic is fitting for firefighters – like we’re used to one extreme so how about we tackle the opposite extreme.
Q6. If you could be any animal, what would it be and why?
Nakita – I love the idea of being a dog (completely pampered – especially in the Ross family!) but to mix it up I would say a shark! Ill explain, always had a weird fascination with them after watching Jaws. They are the best design they can be. I’ve always loved this poster I saw a while back – Do sharks need motivation? NO! They are up swimming around biting things and chasing stuff reminding everyone they’re a shark!
Nikki – Probably a dolphin – I think I make more sense in the water than I do on land! Although I definitely look more like a gangly giraffe.
George – I’d be one of my dogs. They live a life of luxury!
Bex – A cat, you get pampered by your owner and fed but also you have independence to go and do what you want when you want!
Alison – I would be a horse, free to run, out in a field, fed, groomed and looked after by humans. Taken out to different places on a hack, maybe exercised over a few jumps. Part of a herd. What’s not to like.
Beci – A dog. Seriously mine has the life of luxury. Nice bed, constant tummy tickles, food, walks and she’s always happy.