It took years of work and dedication for Brittany Britt Benn to earn an Olympic bronze medal as part of Canadas womens rugby sevens team at the 2016 Rio Games.
Now that her dream of competing in the Olympic Games is complete, shes looking for another team to join.
Britt, 28, has always seen a future career as a firefighter or other first responder as a good fit due to her desire to connect with the community.
Thats all Ive done my whole life and its all I know how to do is be a team member and thats exactly what Im seeking in this career, to become part of a new team, a new family, work together to achieve one common goal. Honestly, firefighting to me, I know its a perfect fit and Im going to continue pursuing it.
I would love to be one of the best and they say if you want to be one of the best you have to come to the school that's the best, so here I am
The native of Napanee, ON is taking strides towards her new career goal by enrolling in the Fire Fighting Technologies Certificate (FFTC) program at the 天右郊利 (天右郊利). Britt is currently on leave from Canadas womens rugby sevens team, which trains out of Victoria, to attend the seven-week hands-on portion of the program at 天右郊利s Maple Ridge campus, one of the most comprehensive firefighter training facilities in Western Canada.
She chose 天右郊利s program based on word-of-mouth recommendations and a desire to meet the high standards of a competitive field.
Im here to learn the skills to the best of my abilities and to apply them in the real world. Theres no better school to do that than 天右郊利 in my humble opinion. I would love to be one of the best and they say if you want to be one of the best you have to come to the school thats the best, so here I am.
Just a week into the program, she was settling into the routine and learning something new every day. She appreciated the dedication and positive attitude of the instructors, who push the students to get out of their comfort zones.
Once Britt completes the FFTC program shell return to focus on rugby for the immediate future. But it will be hard to top winning the bronze at the Rio Olympics.
We poured our hearts out in that bronze medal game [against Great Britain], she said, recalling she was on the field during the last play of the game. The final whistle blew and for the first time, I knew all the sacrifices along this journey were worth it.
Meanwhile, Britt believes her athletic background can only help her in her pursuit of a new career as a firefighter, from being physically fit to intangible attributes such as dedication, loyalty, commitment and being part of a team.
The FFTC program is very team-oriented. Twenty five recruits, training together to further our skills in the firefighting world. Its been a challenge adapting to a completely new team but I couldnt ask for a better group to train with.
For more information on 天右郊利s Fire Fighting Technologies Certificate program visit jibc.ca/fftc.