Sharon

61, Female

Marengo

United States

Profile Information:

Type of Organization

Fire/Rescue Department - Volunteer

Job Function

Firefighter / EMT-Basic

Years in Fire/EMS:

6 months

Primary Fire/EMS Department:

Marengo, IL

Years With Department/Agency

2 years

Dept. Web Site:

http://marengofpd.org

Day Job:

Zurich Insurance, Risk Engineering Services

Relationship Status:

Married

Why I Joined Fire/EMS

Perhaps some of you will think this all sounds quite corny, but the truth is, I believe that the Lord presented to me this calling. Shortly after I turned forty, I started to wonder what I should do with my life. I mean, I had a good job in the Risk Engineering Department of an International Commercial Insurance Company and a wonderful family that I was quite grateful for... But I wanted to do something to benefit others... Yet I had no direction.

One day, I picked up a book called "The Purpose Driven Life" and there and through a great deal of prayer, I began to see the path in front of me - though I still wasn't sure where it was heading.

In the early days of September of 2005, Management requested that I assist our Claims Department in their efforts to assist our insureds affected by Hurricane Katrina. I cannot possibly explain the change that took place within my heart and my head while I was in New Orleans, but it was there that I found my purpose in life...

I returned home in late November of that same year. A chance meeting with one of the local firefighters in my community... An invitation to apply to the department... An opportunity to attend the "fire academy"... Lots of college classes... The love and support of the Lord, my family, coworkers and the department... A great deal of commitment on my part as well as sweat... And at the ripe old age of 44 ½ I became the only female firefighter and probably the oldest probie in my department's history. Two years after finding my purpose in this life, I am half-way through my one year of probation, have earned my Firefighter II certification as well as my EMT Basic certification and license.

Any it will only get better...

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