DW-World.de
Deutsche Welle

Putting out fires, saving lives and total job security: for many people being a firefighter is the ultimate dream job. In Hamburg alone 2000 applicants fight for a training spot every year. Approximately eight percent of them are women. But at the end of it all only 60 to 80 candidates will be lucky enough to be allowed to wear the firefighters’ uniform. The selection process is tough. For two days the applicants are tested on their general knowledge, their motivation and their level of fitness. More than half of them fail the theory test.