OMG

Firefighter Takes Test After Giving Birth
From Associated Press
January 12, 2006 5:10 PM EST

HOUSTON - A Houston firefighter took a promotion test 12 hours after giving birth because fire officials wouldn't bend the department's policy to allow a postponement.

Beda Kent gave birth to a healthy baby daughter at 9 p.m. Tuesday, slept for about 2 1/2 hours and then took the Houston Fire Department captain's exam at 9 a.m. Wednesday.

"It was uncomfortable," said Kent, a 12-year veteran of the department. "I had my Motrin - thank God - but that only lasts for so long."

Civil service regulations mandate that everybody take the test at the same time, District Chief Jack Williams said. A person who is given a temporary reprieve could gain an unfair advantage if they learn about the test from other test-takers, he said.

A firefighter who was injured at a scene and was unable to take the test also would have to wait for the next round of examinations, Williams said.

"It's the same for everybody," he said.

Kent said she opted to take the test because missing it would have meant waiting at least two years before the next promotion exam was offered.

She was about six months pregnant when the test was announced in October.

"Generally, there's not a test announced until there is a vacancy," she said. "I really needed to take it."

Nevertheless, she said the department should find a way to accommodate people who have legitimate medical excuses that create a conflict with the testing session.

Kent said at least 360 firefighters took the test. She said she's been told she ranked 15th, with a score of 104 out of 110, although the results are not yet official.

Kent's newborn daughter, Brina Sue, stayed at the hospital for the mandatory 48-hour observation period.

"I don't like that at all," she said. "It was hard to leave her."
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Information from: Houston Chronicle, www.houstonchronicle.com


First off, mad props to Beda Kent. I mean c'mon...giving birth is a feat in itself...exhausting physically and mentally. Not to mention that the body is basically in a state of trauma. And...well...you know...OUCH!

THEN...

To take a promotion test 12 hours later?? Borderline insanity.
And possibly rank 15th?? Unbelievable.
In a male dominated industry?? Inspirational.

Now, I am completely in awe of this woman because: if the promotion test is anything like the physical entry test... she is some sort of super human or something. My career choice and lifelong dream was/is becoming a firefighter and I came pretty close to taking the entry tests. There are three sections to the test, physical, written and interview. The physical test is...nothing short of strenuous and it would prove exhausting for even the fittest of induviduals. So I imagine that the promotion test would be a combination of the three.

This girl deserves a lot of respect and I hope that she and the baby are doing well.

=)