| Networking By Coleen Mitchell I have to share with you one of the best experiences I had just yesterday. I had the privledge to attend the 2001 Fire Service Women of New Jersey Retreat. This retreat is sponsored by the Fire Service Women of New Jersey, NJ Dept. of Community Affairs, the State of New Jersey, NJ Division of Fire Safety, and Rutgers the State University. The retreat was held at the Middlesex County Fire Academy. Before I get into the details of the experience I have to tell you, a couple years ago I was skeptical about the benefits of networking specifically with Women. At that time I felt that it would make integration of Women into the Fire Service more difficult. In hind sight, I was very wrong. It wasn't until a recent experience that I realizied how alone I was, and if I had networked with other women I would have had the support I so desperately needed at that time. As I pulled up to the Academy I was so impressed with their facilities taking in the sites included; their impressive Memorial for fallen Firefighters, Outside classroom with Fire Tower, Confined Space training area, overturned tanker truck for Haz- Mat training and that was just the exterior. Once inside they had several classrooms, a state of the art auditorium, and cafeteria area. In attendance were both Men and Women. They represented volunteer, paid and career firefighters, dispatchers, EMTs and Paramedics. The day included a round table discussion that had a panel of several women in the front to field questions, and share experiences. The experiences that were shared from both the panel and the audience was very moving. The stories that were shared evoked emotions that ranged from elation to tears. The courage and perseverance in that room was just amazing. At lunch the keynote speaker, Captain Rochelle " Rocky" Jones, the first Female Captain in the New York City Fire Department. Rocky shared some experiences growing up in a firefighting family, and NYC firefighting. Her speech was both entertaining and emotional. In the afternoon, the attendants were given a choice of either attending a management seminar or a practical firefighting evolution at the outside classroom area. My choice was the firefighting evolution. What a great time!!!! The evolutions included, a FAST team, Search and Rescue, Fire Suppression team, and Stand by team. The instructors were very professional. They broke the women into teams and off we went!!!! When it was all over as we laid around the grassy area, I don't think I saw one unsmiling face. It was truly amazing to see so many people from different areas cooperate harmoniously together to get the job done. It would be a privlege to fight fires with these individuals again. At the end of the afternoon, we took our sweaty, tired, happy bodies back to the auditorium for a closing word. Another great thing took place at this time. Suggested by one of the attendants of the retreat, we are currently investigating the possiblity of having a tri-state organization, that would include New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. As I drove home happy and tired, I thought of how lucky I was to be invited to this event. To all the women and men in attendance, Thank you for inspiring me with your dedication, perserverance, courage and tenacity. It was a gift I can never repay. |