In recent days, Austria's emergency services, particularly the volunteer fire brigades, have been in the public spotlight. It is often forgotten that these dedicated individuals carry out their missions and assistance services voluntarily and in their own time. Among the firefighters are individuals from various professions, including Marlene Schmidtberger, who works in Accounting & Controlling at CAMPUS 02 University of Applied Sciences.

At first glance, a career in controlling and voluntary service as a firefighter may seem like two completely different worlds. However, upon closer inspection, some surprising and amusing similarities reveal themselves!

We had the opportunity to interview Marlene, who now points out the following parallels:

Structure meets stress.

In controlling, I plan budgets, analyse variances, and ensure that financial resources are used optimally. This structured way of thinking also benefits me in my role as a firefighter. When I respond to incidents as a firefighter, my ability to structure complex scenarios and set priorities helps me immensely. One could say I’m so good at financial planning that I can even budget the chaos of everyday firefighting! The ability to remain calm and make structured decisions is essential in both areas.

Analytical thinking, now also in real-time.

In controlling, I am an expert at interpreting numbers and recognising patterns. I apply these analytical skills as a firefighter paramedic to decide within fractions of a second how serious an injury is or what actions need to be taken immediately. Instead of sifting through Excel spreadsheets, I assess wounds and emergency situations to provide precise and rapid assistance. The ability to draw the right conclusions from limited information is invaluable in both controlling and firefighting.

Stress resistance deluxe

Both during a fire service call and when going through annual financial statements, the rule is: stay calm! While I ponder financial reports for hours in controlling, paying attention to every detail, I keep my cool—along with the firefighting water—during fire service incidents. The ability to remain composed in stressful and unpredictable situations is valuable in both fields. Stress resistance is not just a useful skill; it's a crucial factor for success and safety.

Documentation that ignites

Whether financial documents or emergency documentation: the ability to write everything down accurately, whether it's the reasons for budget variances or the number of plasters, ensures that I make no mistakes in both the financial world and the fire service.

Teamwork under pressure

Another aspect that is noticeable in both worlds is teamwork under pressure. In controlling, I often work in a team to develop financial strategies and solve problems. In the fire service, teamwork is even more crucial, as we work together under extreme pressure to save lives and minimise property damage. The ability to collaborate effectively with others while time is of the essence is a skill that is often not appreciated enough.

Availability and Flexibility

In controlling, I rely on being flexible to respond to unforeseen budget deviations or economic changes. This flexibility is also of great importance in fire service, as each operational situation is unique and often unexpected. The willingness to quickly adapt to new circumstances while maintaining a cool head is essential in both controlling and fire service.

Marlene´s Schlussfazit ist daher folgendes:

Whether in the financial world or the fire service, my skills in structuring, analysis, and stress management are in demand everywhere. This shows that a good financial plan and a well-prepared first aid kit have more in common than one might think. The balance between numbers and fire service operations has enriched not only my professional but also my personal development.