“Your Potbelly Won’t Fit Inside Bunker Gear” — Fire Service Warns Applicants to Stay Fit

The Federal Fire Service (FFS) has issued a lighthearted but serious reminder to prospective recruits: fitness is non-negotiable.

In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, the agency urged applicants awaiting its recruitment shortlist to focus on their health and stamina, noting that firefighting demands physical strength and endurance.

“Eat, I say EAT! (hunger is not part of the training syllabus). Take care of your health (we need fit firefighters, not fainting champions). Sleep well (counting fire trucks is better than counting sheep),” the post read.

The service added a playful warning that quickly caught attention: “Exercise a little (your potbelly won’t fit inside bunker gear). Stay calm (the shortlist is coming — don’t burn yourself out before the fire does).”

According to the FFS, “the fire doesn’t wait for the unfit,” making physical preparation just as important as waiting for the shortlist itself.

The agency has not yet released a date for the publication of successful applicants.