Episode 155: Firefighter
/“It’s not all about the brave fireman striding through the smoke to throw the damsel in distress over his shoulder and stride off into the sunset. There are lots of skills that make a good firefighter.”
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“I feel like everybody needs to have that moment in their life where something you did, not something your kid did, made you so proud it made your chest tight. And that’s that pride that comes from serving your community.”
Stephanie looi
Some of us have two jobs: one that pays us, one that sustains us in another way. In this episode we meet two women who volunteer as firefighters. Stephanie Looi and Kassie Stevens have faced challenges in their roles, but each feels lucky to be doing something so important for their communities.
Kassie stevens with stepson riley
Stephanie just went through Australia's devastating fire season and had to make decisions she never thought she would. Kassie faces incredulous reactions when she shows up to a call, and sometimes hostility as well. But they both say it's a privilege to serve - and to inspire other women.
This show is about being a firefighter, but it’s also about the satisfaction that comes from volunteering, and helping other people.
It’s thanks to Kassie’s fiancé Shaun Pryor that I found out about her work in the first place.
Shaun, Kassie, and Riley
You can also read a transcript of the show.