Key fire safety tips

WATCH YOUR COOKING. Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you must leave, even for a short time, turn off the stove. GIVE SPACE HEATERS SPACE. Keep fixed and portable space heaters at least three feet from anything that can burn. Turn off heaters when you leave the room or go to sleep. SMOKE OUTSIDE. Ask smokers to smoke outside. Have sturdy, deep ashtrays for smokers. KEEP MATCHES AND LIGHTERS OUT OF REACH. Keep matches and lighters up high, out of the reach of children, preferably in a cabinet with a child lock. INSPECT ELECTRICAL CORDS. Replace cords that are cracked, damaged, have broken plugs, or have loose connections. BE CAREFUL WHEN USING CANDLES. Keep candles at least one foot from anything that can burn. Blow out candles when you leave the room or go to sleep. HAVE A HOME FIRE ESCAPE PLAN. Make a home fire escape plan and practice it at least twice a year. INSTALL SMOKE ALARMS. Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. Interconnect smoke alarms throughout the home. When one sounds, they all sound. TEST SMOKE ALARMS. Test smoke alarms at least once a month and replace batteries once a year or when the alarm “chirps” to tell you the battery is low. Replace any smoke alarm that is more than 10 years old. INSTALL SPRINKLERS. If you are building or remodeling your home, install residential fire sprinklers. Sprinklers can contain and may even extinguish a fire in less time than it would take the fire department to arrive. Source: National Fire Protection Association (NFPA®)

PEDERSEN

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RADIL

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Q:Why did you want to become a firefighter or what drew you to the job?

A:I didn’t necessarily ever expect to become a firefighter. Growing up as a “military brat,” the need to serve was always a part of who you are. My siblings and I grew up spending holidays with other soldiers and their family members, and that was who became our family every time we moved locations. I always remember the tight bond between my siblings and parents growing up. We constantly had each other’s back when tackling a new school and finding our place in the new community.

It really doesn’t surprise me that my brother graduated from the Alexandria Law Enforcement Program, my sister is an Airman for the U.S. Air Force, and I became a firefighter.

Q:What part of your job is the most rewarding and what part is the most challenging?

A:Joining AFD has been one of the best and most rewarding decisions. I gained a whole new family and support system that I couldn’t be more thankful for. And not to mention meeting my fiancé and forever best friend. I am really excited to see where this career takes me and all the experiences and memories to come.

Q:What advice would you have for a young woman who is considering becoming a firefighter?

A:I would say go for it! Trying something new and challenging yourself has always been a good thing from my perspective. There is nothing you can’t do. If you ever have any concerns or if there is anything you feel you are struggling at, there is always someone willing to lend a hand and help you succeed. Most people in this field want to see you succeed, so firefighting comes with constant encouragement and enthusiasm. Not to mention the reward of serving your community and the family you gain through a department.

Q:What do you like to do in your free time? What are your hobbies?

A:In my free time, I couldn’t be busier. I run my own business 40-plus hours per week, I have a second part-time job waitressing, I go to Nordic Warrior Boxing Academy at least once a week, I enjoy renovating and updating our home, I love going fishing with my fiancé, we enjoy weekends at the family campground or cabin in the woods, my canine child is always my favorite tag along, and I could never fulfill the amount of time I wish I spent with the horses.

Q:Why did you want to become a firefighter or what drew you to the job?

A:When I was in high school, I had the opportunity to join the Alexandria Fire Department Explorer Program. It was because of this program that I developed a love for firefighting. This program helped me discover my love of helping people and started my journey of becoming a Nationally Registered EMT and a certified firefighter.

Q:What part of your job is the most rewarding and what part is the most challenging?

A:The most rewarding part of firefighting is also the most challenging, helping people when they are having one of the worst days of their life. Knowing that you helped save a life is very rewarding, but on the flip side when you do everything that you can, but it doesn’t save their life is by far the most challenging part about being a firefighter.

Q:What advice would you have for a young woman who is considering becoming a firefighter?

A:My advice to young women is to just give firefighting a try if you think you might be interested in it. See if your local fire department has a program like the Explorer Program where you can go and experience the behind the scenes that people don’t usually get to see. You might fall in love with it like I did.

Q:What do you like to do in your free time? What are your hobbies?

A:In my free time, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, reading, playing my flute and piano, and sewing. My faith is very important to me, so I sing in church choir and love attending Bible study.