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5/ TheBucknerClarion.com July 24, 2014 Taking the Helm Q&A: Fort Osage Women Firefighters Continued from page 1 and you know it's because they love you. It's the same thing here. Amy Keeton - We definitely talk a lot with each other. We have to remind each other it's the job and not to take it home with us, work it out here. If we have any stressors, we talk amongst each other and just let it go and move on. Cheyenne Cook - I agree with what Amy said, communication and talking about how to improve together as a team, as a crew. Just communication with each other after every incident. Anytime we aren't with each other, we just ask what's going on. It's like your second family. Q: What advice would you have for other women contemplating a career like yours? A: Virginia Bruhn - Find someone to be their mentor. Do some ride alongs and see if it is really something they want to do. The job isn't for everyone so it's important to know what you are getting into before spending the time on the training. Amy Keeton - Definitely look into it. If it's what they want to do, do it. It's a stressful job but it's very rewarding whether you are male or female. Cheyenne Cook - Never let fear stop you from doing what you love. Just because it seems to be a male-dominated career doesn't mean women can't do it. We are still held to the same level as every other person, male or female. Q: What are the most and least appealing aspects of being a woman firefighter? A: Virginia Bruhn - I don't know that there is a least appealing aspect for me because I've done it for so long and I don't think it would be gender related because I have always been a tomboy. I can't think of something that is gender related I like the least because I don't think in that way. Amy Keeton - I think it would be a lot easier if I could shave my head. That is literally the only thing I can think of. I don't think we get treated any differently. Cheyenne Cook - Yes! Hair. I've thought of it too, it just gets in the way of everything. We wear the same uniforms; there is nothing that is special or different between the females and males. Q: Anything additional you'd like to add? (We've run out of space but want you to have access to the Q&A in its entirety. Visit t h e b u c k n e r c l a r i o n . c o m / f i r e . Thank you for your time and interest. Q: Where did you grow up? A: Captain Virginia Bruhn (paramedic, firefighter) - I grew up in Fridley, Minnesota. Amy Keeton (paramedic, firefighter) - I grew up in Rolla, Missouri and moved to Liberty when I was 12. Cheyenne Cook (EMT, firefight- er, graduating Aug. 8 as paramedic) - I grew up in Independence and then in Sibley is where I finished the rest of high school. Q: Who were your early influencers? A: Virginia Bruhn - I used to live next door to an ambulance service when I was going to college for a different thing and met a man named Mark Nesty. He got me involved and encouraged me to take my first, first aid class. I ended up working my first ambulance job with him and he paid me by the run anytime I went on calls. He coerced me into not doing what I was going to do. I have a degree in agronomy from the University of Minnesota. Amy Keeton - I was kind of a late starter in getting involved in the fire business. I actually worked for the zoo for awhile before this. I thought I wanted a change of scenery, a little more exciting. I would say influences in my life in general would definitely be my parents. Cheyenne Cook - My parents would be my biggest influence. My whole family is in law enforcement: Parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. I'm the odd duckling. Q: How long have you served as a firefighter/paramedic? How long at Fort Osage? A: Virginia Bruhn - I've been here for 26 years, going on 27 at Fort Osage and before that I worked downtown for Mast. I got my first ambulance job in 1980, 34 years ago. Amy Keeton - I have been here for 5 ½ years, and started my career here. Cheyenne Cook- I just got hired on in December and was a volunteer for a year prior to that. Q: Why did you opt to become a firefighter/paramedic? A: Virginia Bruhn - I'm actually a paramedic. It was a dare. A friend of mine was employed here and he thought that I would enjoy working here as well so he encouraged me to come and do the physical agility and I did. They offered me a job and eventually I said yes. Amy Keeton - I wanted something where every day was a little different, exciting, not knowing what you're going to get. Also, I want to help people. Cheyenne Cook - Adrenaline rush, motivation, action. Q: What were the most difficult aspects of training to become a firefighter? A: Virginia Bruhn - Learning the power areas of women and how they differ from men. The mechanics are different but we still are all capable of the same strengths and techniques. Amy Keeton - Getting used to wearing the gear, being comfortable with it and learning how to relax with it all. Cheyenne Cook - I agree that the most difficult was learning the techniques of carrying things, operating the equipment and figuring out the best way to learn. Q: How do you handle stress/stressful events? A: Virginia Bruhn - Part of it is training and the more that you work in this career, the more you have to find a place for it. When your bucket is too full, you have to find a way to poke a hole in the bottom of the bucket in order to get rid of some of that stress whether that's talking to each other, taking a class in stress management, or getting EAP people to help you deal with your issues. We deal with stressors at home and here, so you have a place to put it. Sometimes in this line of work we develop what's called 'black humor,' and we come back and tease each other. We do a lot of that camaraderie thing and it's part of the family aspect, like when you go home to your family and they give you a hard time about something, Fort Osage Fire Department (Left to Right) Chief John Yocum, Cheyenne Cook, Amy Keeton, Virginia Bruhn