Type of Organization

Fire/Rescue Department - Paid

Job Function

Firefighter

Years in Fire/EMS:

9

Primary Fire/EMS Department:

Lockheed Fire Dept. - first female FF

Years With Department/Agency

9

My Training:

Structure firefighting, brushfire firefighting, Crash/rescue at Burbank-Glendale-Passadena Airport in L.A. Co., Oshkosh T-6 Crash Truck operator at an airport, emergency first aid.

About Me:

Have worked as a firefighter, it remains in my blood to this day. My great grandfather was a "fire watcher" in his day. Always listen to the sirens and watch the skies. Have experience as a civilian cop on an air force base, and worked at a state prison. Experienced domestic violence in my live [18 yrs.], have two beautiful grown children [my son is in the U.S.A.F. ...currently stationed in the Middle East]. I enjoy white water rafting, hiking, astronomy, baseball, reading, and animals.

Day Job:

Currently attending college

Relationship Status:

Divorced

Why I Joined Fire/EMS

I'm a former firefighter, and during those years, the job defined me. It was who I was. The feeling of wanting to help others has never left me, no matter what job I've worked at since then. At heart, I'm still a firefighter.

Why I Love Fire/EMS

One gets to help others in a wide variety of situations, you gather a great deal of experiences with different kinds of equipment, and there'd the ever-present excitement/danger factor, [besides down-time monotony/boredom]. And I knew it would keep me physically active [extend my participation from sports in h.s. & college], and have a job that few other women had or understood.

Top Issues Facing Responders:

Getting local and state gov't. agencies to maintain adequate funding levels for the proper equipment to protect firefighters, aid in their training and to perform their jobs safely.
Getting the public to understand that occasional tax increases for their fire departments will garner them untold dividends, in lives saved and property salvaged in both the near and far futures.