Out of Office: Colleen Beach Powers Her Local Fire Station

I’m the president of [Community Fire & Rescue], and my primary role is the business side of the fire department, making sure that the contract money with the town is used appropriately. I also manage most of the fundraising events that we do.

I volunteer some on fire scenes … making sure that the firemen have what they need refreshment-wise. If it’s a large scene, [I take] things to the scene like water or food or, if I’m not [going there myself], I’m coordinating those activities.

When I joined [the fire department], my son was very small … and it was important to us for him to see what volunteering is [like] in the community and how important that is in the community. Because of that, he’s also joined now.

There are some classes required, but … otherwise, it’s on-the-job training. … Expect the unexpected.
In emergency services, you never know what’s going to happen.

I like to think that I’ve made myself a better person [and] a better friend [by volunteering]. I think about things differently, [like] what I can do to make someone else’s job easier and more sustainable for them.

Everyone [at the fire department] —they’re all family. The connections that I’ve made throughout the years are just awesome, and you’re doing something for the community. Especially in emergency services, you’re helping someone in their time of need, and that’s important.