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A New Journey: A Female FireMedic's Tale
Featured Author:
Kristen Winters
Kristen Winters started her EMS career in 2003. In 2005-2006 she attended paramedic school at St Joseph Hospital in Elgin, Illinois. After a 2-year stint of being a paramedic in the near west suburbs of Chicago, she transferred closer to home to be closer to her family.
Kristen got hired part-time by Lakewood Fire Department. She attended the fire academy at McHenry County College. She does work full-time at another department, however still maintains her part-time status as a fire medic at LFD.
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Kristen Winters
I remember the exact moment I found out I had to attend the fire academy. It was a year and a half ago.
My knuckles were white from gripping the chair, my palms were clammy, my heart had dropped into my stomach…simply put, I was petrified.
I had spent the last 5 years of my EMS career avoiding that next step. But there I was, sitting in the chief’s office, speechless.I began my EMS career back in 2003. I enjoyed being a paramedic. It was my first love. I woke up every shift day excited to go to work, knowing I was going to get a chance to help someone, not knowing what the day would bring.
There was one downside to my job, however. I had to drive an hour and a half into the city one way. This became an issue when I received a phone call telling me my son did not get off the school bus. I was in a panic, an hour and a half away, and no one to call for help.
My son was fine, he had decided to join an after school club without telling anyone, but it was a wake-up call. I needed to be closer to home.I knew being a paramedic was my ace in the hole. All around me are towns that require their employees to be firemedics.
Since receiving my paramedic license, I made the drive to the city because I was adamant about not becoming a firefighter.
Why, on God’s green earth, would I run into a fire when everyone else, including the rats, run out? I had two kids to think about. They needed their mom. No way.
I naively thought I would be able to talk a department into hiring me as just as a medic. I knew there was a shortage of medics, and I was going to capitalize on that.
No such luck. Reality hit, and it hit hard.
firemedic78
23 days ago
8 comments
Nikki,
Congrats on going through MCC! You have some great instructors. Soak up all of the knowledge you can from them.
Reesai and Station52mom,
At least you found what you loved to do! Congrats!
Oipope77,
Go get 'em! Life experience wins every time!
reesai
24 days ago
12 comments
Great story Kristen! I applaud you. I am a volunteer firefighter/ EMT- basic. I can relate to your story, but I found out too late that I liked it. I am 45. went through the fire academy in '06.I like being a volunteer. Congrats for overcoming your fears.
Nikki19
27 days ago
2 comments
i truely feel empowered by that story. i am currently enrolled at MCC's fire acadamy as well (same as you) and am the next town over from Lakewood. I have been following my dream of being a firefighter since i was 14 yrs old and i was always the only girl, even in all my fire scince classes. i still get nervous that i wont be able to measure up to the men in the fire service, but by reading your story and seeing that you, a woman, who was also older then the men, can do it, then so can i. thank you for sharing your story. it truely makes me feel more secure about my decision.
station52mom
29 days ago
106 comments
You are an inspiration. I went throught the Fire Academy at the real old age of 48. I worked out for a year before I decided to go through the academy, just to get ready for it physically. It was the best experience that I had. I got my firefighting 1. It is a challenge, Good Job!
oipope77
about 1 month ago
174 comments
Hey Kristen,GOOD JOB!! on kickin' much butt. About the whole age thing,i'll be 38 next march and i'm just starting the hiring process for a very largeFD about half an hour north of AtlantaGA. I haven't even gotten to the CPAT yet. but i've wanted this for 9 years.Do you think for a minute i'm gonna shy away because of all the "young bucks " that will be there.HECK NO, GIDDY UP GO!!!!!
firemedic78
about 1 month ago
8 comments
prhd134-Some departments have an age restriction of 35. You have to check into the munincipalities-sp you are looking at testing into. Good luck!
Cariba-There were 2 other girls in my academy, no others that went with me from my department. I don't think I made that too clear. However, I never got to work with the other females...different companies. Being the only female is empowering. Don't let it make you feel weak!
prhd134
about 1 month ago
4 comments
Great story and thank you for sharing your experience becoming an EMS and a firefighter. I have an ambition to become an EMT. My concern is if age of a person matters?
talisaqc
about 1 month ago
386 comments
That's a great story! I'm glad it worked out for you!
Cariba
about 1 month ago
200 comments
Thanks for sharing! My fire training starts in less than a week (although I want to do it and am very excited about it!) and so far, I know no other women who will be in the class. It's empowering to hear your story. Thank you!