"Always work hard"

Tell us a little about yourself and how you came to be a First Responder. 

"When I was about 8 years old, I watched the movie Backdraft and decided I wanted to be a firefighter. My parents thought I'd grow out of it but I never did. I learned that to have a career in the fire service, I needed to become a paramedic. I started EMT school two days after my high school graduation and never looked back. I was the youngest to go through and graduate from the paramedic program at our local community college. I have an Associate's Degree in EMS & a Bachelor's Degree in Public Safety Mgmt.  I went through all my firefighter training at our local career center.
"I'm a paramedic/firefighter and now hold the rank of Platoon Chief. I work for a combination department with approximately 25 members that runs 1600 calls a year. I'm married with 3 boys who are 3, 9, & 10 years old. I often get asked if my husband is a FF.... he is not. He works in maintenance at a machine shop. I'm currently looking into a new hobby... leather working. My goal is to learn how to make leather items that we use in the fire service... radio straps, chin straps, glove keepers, etc."

What has been your proudest moment so far as First Responder? 

"My proudest moment as a first responder was leading my team into a house explosion scene in which we helped save two lives. We got to meet them once they recovered. The proudest moment as an instructor was watching two former EMT students bring a patient to the hospital in which they delivered twins. They had to fall back on their training and did excellent."

 

What advice would you give to the next generation of Female First Responders? 

"I would tell future female first responders to always work hard. Stay strong by finding a mentor. Finding another female in the service helps. We do have a place in the fire service and we do make it better."