Firefighter Marie Vicory: Hearing the Story at Just the Right Time
By Rylee Perrin, BEAT reporter
BRUNSWICK, OH- Did you know only 1 in 10 high school graduates decide their career right away? Well, as soon as Marie Vicory graduated high school, she already knew she wanted to be a firefighter.
An ARFF (or Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting) firefighter works two to three 24-hour shifts a week, and then is off the next two days. This is called a 24-48. But as an ARFF, there are many responsibilities.
Vicory is an ARFF firefighter at the Cleveland Hopkins (CLE) Airport Fire Department. She explained the most rewarding part of her career is helping people and making life easier for others. “But the very best part is that I can be home for a couple of days with my family before returning to work,” she stated.
Vicory explained that a typical day as a firefighter would start at 7:30am in the morning, and last until 7:30am the next day. It starts with a roll call, where they would talk about what happened the day before and any changes in equipment or expectations for the day. Vicory also said they have training, station duties, and calls for runs. But they must work on the station duties, like chores in between calls.
Vicory said that one of the challenges of being a firefighter is that whatever day you are assigned, you can’t change it. No matter if it is a birthday or a holiday, you still have to work the days you are assigned. There are three shifts where Vicory works, known as shifts A, B, and C. Vicory is on shift B. While shifts A and C are working, her team can get some rest in the beds at the department.
Vicory said she was inspired to be a firefighter by her good friend's dad, who was a firefighter in Kent, Ohio. He would always share his stories in the kitchen when she would come over. Vicory decided this was her passion when she was 18, right after she graduated high school. She explained that you do not have to go to college. Even though the classes do make it easier, you can still get trained at an academy.
Vicory is the only woman on her shift. At the Hopkins Airport, there are only 32 ARFF firefighters: 6 women and 26 men. In the morning, the person in the alarm room announces a wake-up call at 6:30am. That gives an hour to clean the equipment, wash the trucks, and finish some chores. At the station, they have multiple trucks; the regular fire truck can hold up to 750 gallons of water. Then the 2 ARFF trucks and the water tender truck can hold up to 3000 gallons of water.
Being an ARFF, sometimes you have sleepless nights, and during the job you see things that can make you sad or upset. Vicory said she always makes sure that she takes a moment to reset herself mentally and physically before she greets her family in the morning.
She explained that it is a very good and rewarding career. “People should really give this job a chance,” she said. “Even if you're thinking of going into the medical field for a different aspect, to be a physician or a nurse, you should at least start with your EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) certification, which is the first step to get your paramedic. It's a great introduction to the medical field.”
Vicory also explained, “I would never have thought to do this unless I’d be in the kitchen at the right time listening to those stories. So, I would encourage other young people: if you're uncertain about what you want to do, and you think you want to be a hands-on person or you are interested in the medical field, start with your EMT basics. It’s a short course. It's an introduction to the medical field, and you will meet people who are firefighters, and hopefully you will find out that this is the career for you. And it can lead to great experiences.”
Rylee Perrin, Brunswick Middle School, is one of over fifty student “backpack journalists” (grades 6-12) in the award-winning BEAT Video Program. The program, celebrating its 25th year, is sponsored by Donut Land, Plum Creek Assisted Living Community, MODA Gifts, Scripps Howard Foundation and the Brunswick Rotary Club. Go to https://www.bcsoh.org/community/new-beat-site to learn more about the Program, or visit https://thebeat.viebit.com/?folder=ALL to view videos produced by the students.
PHOTOS: Marie Vicory at work.