Firefighters Mara Solano and Brent Smith during drills at the Veneta fire station.
Dec. 11, 2009
By Stephanie Reyes
Firefighter Brent Smith swings his oxygen tank onto his back and puts on his mask. A loud beeping sound alerts him that something is not quite right. Mara Solano, also a firefighter, realizes the problem, reaches over to Smith and fixes his gear. The beeping stops, and the two high-five each other in recognition of a job well done.
It’s par for the course for the weekly Monday drill at the Veneta Firehouse, about 12 miles west of Eugene. But what sets the firehouse apart is its abundance of women like Solano. No other firehouse in Lane County Fire District No. 1, which includes 11 other fire stations in Western Lane County, has as many woman firefighters and EMTs as Veneta, according to Fire Marshal Heather Miller.
A total of 98 firefighters and EMTs are in Fire District No. 1. Of those, 23 are women, and 11 are stationed at Veneta, Miller said. The Eugene, Springfield and Coburg fire districts don’t have nearly as many women firefighters and EMTs.
Smith, a transfer from the Coburg and Jefferson stations, is happy about the diversity at the firehouse. “Different people have different strengths. I don’t think it has anything to do with sex. It comes down to teamwork.”
It’s sheer coincidence so many women ended up at the Veneta firehouse, though applicants can request a particular firehouse in which to volunteer, and the welcoming atmosphere at the Veneta firehouse may have something to do with it. Miller said the role of firefighters and EMTs have traditionally gone to men but that women in Veneta are breaking down that stereotype and forging new ground.
“It’s opening up more and more,” said Miller. “There is a more general acceptance of women.”
Fire District No. 1 is located about 20 miles from the coast and 80 miles from the Willamette Pass summit. It serves the communities of Veneta, Central Road, Butler, Noti, Elmira, Walton, Crow, Wolf Creek, Spencer Creek, Lorane Highway and Fox Hollow.
Miller earned her master’s degree from the University of Oregon in 2001. She wasn’t sure what she wanted to do. She had been volunteering at the Veneta station, and the previous fire marshal told her to combine her experience of teaching and prevention.
“I never dreamed that it would be a career,” Miller said. “It’s about the coolest thing I could ever do.” She now views her classroom as being the 200 square miles covered by the 11 stations of District No. 1. “We (women) all pull our own weight.”
She explained the fire retardant protective clothing, which includes an air tank, could weigh up to 65 pounds. Pumping water through the hoses raises the weight by eight pounds per gallon. “It’s a workout!” she exclaimed, “but we are all there doing the same thing they (men) are.”
Station No. 1 has the slogan: “Neighbors Volunteering to Help Neighbors.” Miller explained that the people at the stations include steel workers, retired school administrators, nurses, plumbers and grocery store employees. “We have all different skill levels. Someone’s background might come in really handy.”
Susan Jenkins, 49, began volunteering at the Veneta station more than 11 years ago, making her one of the longest-serving women firefighters in the district.
“My dad was a police officer and firefighter, so I followed in his footsteps. I’ve lived here all my life, so I know people. I am the comforter,” she said of the people she encounters on the job. “I hug them, pat their hand, and let them know it will be OK — Mom talk.”
Her husband has been volunteering for more than eight years. “He didn’t join for awhile,” Jenkins said. “We enjoy getting up together and doing shifts together.”
Thea Svendsen, 17, sat at the Veneta fire station table, going over a checklist — requirements for her to advance in her training. A foreign exchange student from Norway, she was chosen by her host family because she wanted to become a firefighter. “I thought, ‘Hey, this will work out great,’ ” said her host dad, Don Culy, who is also a Veneta firefighter.
“Women fire fight back home, but not as many as here!” Svendsen gushed. “I have wanted to do this since the third grade.”
Melissa Moody, 29, is a stay at home mom who was initially hesitant to join the fire department.
“My husband didn’t think I could do it,” said Moody, “There aren’t a lot of women in the field. You have to prove yourself. It was intimidating at first. I have done the challenges, and I have more self confidence.”
Having retired from the U.S. Air Force, Kristina Deschaine, 38, began volunteering as a firefighter in Veneta. Then, her husband and son wanted to join.
“He (her husband) tells everyone I wouldn’t let him do it for awhile. I wanted one thing for myself. It was kind of silly and immature, so I changed my mind. It’s a new family activity.”
