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NAME: K.Clark EMAIL: rescuesq@aeneas.net OCCUPATION: volunteer/rescue BIO: When I first joined the rescue squad back in 1978,I would have never believed that I would be where I am today.  In 1978,the squad didn't have women in their organization, but a women's auxiliary that assisted with support services such as answering phones, running errands, providing food and shelter needs that were needed on calls. Now, don't take me wrong, this is a needed service and I admire those that choose to take the time to do this, however, I wanted to do more, I wanted to, well you know,  I just wasn't sure at that time just what "it" was,but I knew that I wanted to do it!  So, I made the meetings and when there was training offered, I took it, first aid, CPR,these were the first to become available to the auxiliary.  As the years went by, things began to change in the emergency services field.  Doors to the services that had been mainly staffed by men, became open to the women.  Now I agree that they may have been open,and that certain ones might not have willingly took us in, but the bottom line was , they opened.  I decided at that time to pursue my training in the medical field and proceeded to the level of EMT. I worked on the ambulance services and volunteered my time to the squad.  With things changing, the field of rescue had also opened up and training in vehicle extrication, search and rescue, water rescue and recovery were updating and training in these areas also became avaiable.I remember my first official training in extrication was (3)hrs. on the hydraulic tools and now it is a 30hrs course.  More and more I was getting involved with the rescue services,so that, I eventually decided this was where I wanted to be.  I achieved a few of what I called "mini firsts", I was the first woman First Lt. in our squad, then I became the first woman instructor of extrication in our area, and finally became the first woman captain of our squad.  But these achievments would not have been possible without the help of others that encouraged me to achieve these goals. Today, I am in my fourth year as captain of our squad. I am still an instructor in vehicle extrication and one of the training co-ordinators with the Tennessee Association of Rescue Squads, for our region.  I am also, the handler of one of our K-9 units that is trained in cadaver search for water recovery. Yes, it may have taken me 20 years to find "it" but I did.   I can't help but believe that if you are sincere in what you want to do and you use truth as your light and compassion for your fuel, you can travel life's highway and venture off on the avenue you seek in the field of emergency services, whether it is a paid or volunteer position, the choice is yours and it is there waiting for you to take. I would like to say,in conclusion, "thank you" Samantha for asking me here, because "you" are the proof that the abovefore mentioned is true and possible,and for that we are grateful.

NAME: Trena Stephenson EMAIL: tstep@rnet.net OCCUPATION: Firefighter BIO: I am 36 years old. I am the only paid female firefighter at our department of 34. I have been in the fire service for almost two years and love it. I followed in my brother's and father's footsteps and am glad I did.