Kelsey

Firefighter

Why did you choose the fire service?

Becoming a firefighter is something I always dreamed of doing. There are many aspects of our job that attracted me to the profession. I love that I have no idea what my day might consist of and that every time the tones go off, I get to be part of a team that’s going to help people and solve problems within the community.    

Please share your professional journey prior to and since joining Richmond Fire-Rescue.

Before becoming a firefighter, I was a certified horticulturist working for many years in estate and high-end gardens. For the two years previous to getting hired with the fire department, I worked for a municipality in the Parks department. By working in the landscape industry, I developed many transferable skills for firefighting like using and maintaining gas-powered cutting tools and saws, ladder use and safety, hazardous material safe handling, and many more. I worked towards becoming a firefighter for four years before getting hired. I loved all the courses required to have a shot at this dream job and I still have to pinch myself sometimes that I actually get paid to do this now.

How would you define your current role with Richmond Fire-Rescue?

I am currently on probation in my ninth month. I am focused on learning the skills required to become a good firefighter who can operate effectively and efficiently with any member of the team.  

What do you enjoy most about your job?

Having a great crew of people to work with and the variety of what could potentially happen in our day makes going to work not feel like work. I’m not going to lie, getting to jump on the big shiny red truck and wave to all the kids going by puts a huge smile on my face.

Do you have a memorable experience from your career or a defining life experience?  

The day I put my turnout gear on for the first time and it had my name on the back. I worked so hard to be here and it really didn’t sink in until that moment that this was really happening: I had actually achieved my dream job!

What is life like outside of work for you?

I am very proud to be a mother to my two beautiful children, a wife to my great husband, and a third generation firefighter in my family.

What is your favourite thing about Richmond?

Richmond is such a beautiful place. I love the diversity in the land – there is everything from beautiful blueberry farms to stunning architecture like the Olympic Oval to the beautiful beaches on both the river and the ocean. As well as the diversity of people who live in Richmond, I enjoy learning more about other cultures and there is no better way than to talk to people, which I am so lucky to do every day at work. I feel so fortunate to have been hired by Richmond Fire-Rescue, as it is such a great group of people and we are so lucky to be supported as well as we are by the municipality.