I would like to say congratulations on everything you have accomplished. You are an inspiration to everyone. You have already conquered the hardest obstacle, you chose to serve. I am certain you can obtain any certification you set your sights on. I wish you the best of luck on everything you set out to achieve in life and hope you never deapart from the fire service.

Stay Safe Brother,
RVFC 63-Chief

I am glad to see other deaf firefighters.. I am deaf myself too, I have cochelar implant too.. Am firefighter at Bainbridge Fire Department in Indiana

Don’t ever give up on your dreams. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Your story has inspired me!! You see.. my father has been a volunteer firefighter for over 30 years and he has gone from captain to chief. I basically grew up near the fire dept in a small town. ( Western PA) I have been deaf since birth. I’ve been dreaming about becoming a firefighter since I was a little girl. I have also told it is ” impossible” for me to become a firefighter due to my deafness. My father never considered me as a disablity but a daughter who wants to become a firefighter. Not only because I wanted to follow my father’s steps, it is also because of my growing up seeing a lot of things happening at fire dept. I’ve always gone there to play the pool with my dad or friends. I rode fire truck for hundreds of times, I went with my father to fill up the water in fire truck, I rode in a car when myy father heard the fire calls, he would put up siren on and drive fast as he could to arrive at fire dept.. I’ve seen the firefighters gets dressed quick and jump on fire truck.. go , go, go!! I’ve gone to fire picnic, I’ve gone to fire parades, I’ve gone to fire dept carnivals, or even I would wait up late or wait for my dad to come home, I would ask him what happened.. He would tell me what those fire calls for. Sometimes, we have dispatcher at home and mom would listen and telling me what the calls for. ( car wreck, bush fire , house fire, etc) You name it.. You can see why I have always been dream about becoming a firefighter..

Anyway, I remembered my father tried to enter me as a ” jr. firefighter”. I was not allowed due to my deafness. At least my father had tried.( in early 80’s) However, he took me to ” fire drills”, He took me to a special training how to deal in very complicate and dark in house.. I’ve wore fire clothes with oxygen behind my back and it seem forever when I was in a amaze and dark basement, I came out of that basement and sweat like a pig!! I’ve learned a lot.

Now, I am 36 years old and mother of 2 small children.. I would still dream of becoming a firefighter but I had to give up my dreams to take care of my children.. at least maybe at this moment..

I wanted you to read this article.. http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_609817.html This deaf man recently become a fire chief!! He and his wife had worked for my old school ( Western PA School for the Deaf) This story might help your dream to become a chief.. Go for it, Adam!!

Jennifer

A daughter of firefighter

You have showed your Proof to Hearing world that Deaf people can do, not what we cant do because of our Deafness. STOP AUDISM. You already prove them what you are and what you are made of as “I CAN” be anything we want to be and you became as fireman. I know you are the first Deaf Fireman. I do not know who is the first Deaf Fireman. if you know who is the first Deaf Fireman. Please let me know. thanks.. Keep your Dream alive forever.

from Brian Buckley(Deaf Actor)