Women Breaking Barriers: Ana Ruzevic wins firefighter competition

Ana Ruzevic is a fire-medic with the Vestavia Hills Fire Department, and she is showing everyone what it takes to become a firefighting champion.

Ana Ruzevic is a fire-medic with the Vestavia Hills Fire Department, and she is showing everyone what it takes to become a firefighting champion.

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Ana Ruzevic is a fire-medic with the Vestavia Hills Fire Department, and she is showing everyone what it takes to become a firefighting champion.

Ana Ruzevic is a fire medic with the Vestavia Hills Fire Department, and she is showing everyone what it takes to become a firefighting champion.

Ruzevic is coming off a big win at the 2023 Paul Davis Restoration Southwest Region Firefighter Challenge Championship in Las Vegas. The Firefighter Challenge is considered the toughest two minutes in sports. It showcases not only physical fitness but a firefighter's ability to do the job with quickness and accuracy.

"I've always had that competitive edge," Ruzevic said. “And I really enjoy competing and pushing my limits. So, I just started doing that. Hopefully, I thought it was going to make me better at my job, how to operate better in my gear.”

Her gear includes the heavy boots, the turnout jacket, helmet, mask, and gloves. They all help her get the job done on the challenge’s firefighting obstacle course and answer calls here in central Alabama. Her fiery intensity was honed as an NCAA Division I athlete. Ruzevic was recruited to the Tulane track team from her home country of Croatia.

“I did all kinds of sports and growing up," Ruzevic said. “But I ended up really being really good at track and field. So, I ended up getting a full ride to Tulane University in New Orleans in 2018. And I threw the javelin.”

She thrives on the discipline and meticulous nature of life at the fire station.“The life of a division one track athlete, it's very structured, you know," she said. “You know exactly what needs to get done every day from morning practices to class back, to practice. So, that kind of that work ethic and dedication transferred very well into the fire department.”

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The competition includes strenuous events meant to simulate the real-life demands of firefighting. Moves like carrying a high-rise pack upstairs and dragging a 175-pound mannequin for 100 feet. Her training regimen is grueling.

“I get up at 3:50. I go to the gym, and I do a strength portion,” Ruzevic said. “Then I come to work, do the morning routines, you know, check the truck off, have breakfast. Then I have a second workout, which is more cardio-based. We do CrossFit workouts. And then after that, our daily routine, lunch. Maybe do some training with the guys. And I try to be in bed by eight.”

Ruzevic graduated from Tulane with a degree in business management and marketing, landing a job that brought her to Birmingham. Then she started volunteering at the Rocky Ridge Fire Station while seeking to apply for United States citizenship.

“I wanted to do some sort of public service to make it look good on the application. And I just ended up falling in love with firefighting,” she said.

She became a citizen this year. Patriotism is written all over her, literally with vivid tattoos of American symbols. Embracing her new country and swapping careers clearly suits her.

“My favorite part of the competition would have to be all the amazing inspiring people that I've met throughout the combat challenge," she said. “Because, you know, even though we may be competition to each other, they all want to see you succeed and do better.”

One of few women in the challenge, Ruzevic has competed for the past five years. She won nationals in 2021 and placed second in the world event. She has this advice for other ladies interested in a career in firefighting.

“Just make sure you enjoy the process,” said Ruzevic. “Appreciate the good days along with the bad. Because the bad days are the ones that teach you the most lessons. And just remain grateful because we really do have the best career in the world.”

This year the U.S. National Firefighter Challenge event is being held in Hoover from September 5-9.