BABE #364: STEPHANIE CLARK - Firefighter, Lacrosse + Bradford County FD
Stephanie didn’t always plan to work in fire service, but the moment she was introduced to it, she was hooked. She currently works three jobs: on weekends she’s a part-time firefighter at two different stations, and on weekdays she works in account maintenance at Merrill Lynch. Our interview with Stephanie gives insight into what it’s like to work in a male-dominated field, how COVID-19 has impacted her work, and why it’s so important to encourage our youth to pursue their passions. We’re impressed with Stephanie’s resilience and determination, and we wish her all the best on her journey to becoming a full-time firefighter!
The Basics:
Hometown: Palm Bay, FL
Current city: Jacksonville, FL
Alma mater: Florida State University
Degree: B.S., Criminology
Very first job: Sonny’s BBQ
Hustle: Firefighter, Lacrosse Fire Department, Bradford County Fire Department; Account Maintenance, Merrill Lynch
The Interests:
Babe you admire and why?
Catherine Lohan. She is one of the first women to become an FDNY Firefighter. She smashed the gender barrier within the fire service and became an FDNY Firefighter in 1982.
Last book you read?
The Stranger by Albert Camus
Favorite place you’ve traveled to?
Portland, OR or San Francisco, CA
Favorite way to unplug?
Going bike riding, hiking, Crossfit (shoutout to Crossfit Salt de Terre) and reading
The Hustle:
Tell us about your hustle, and walk us through your typical day.
Currently, I work three jobs. I’m a part-time firefighter for two stations on the weekends and then work at Merrill Lynch during the week to support our branch offices across the country. My main job is to find efficiencies in our procedures, account opening, account maintenance, etc. Once I’m off work, I typically train and work out to ensure that I’m staying physically fit in order to perform to the best of my abilities as a firefighter. On the weekends, I travel about an hour for work at the stations, and am usually there for the entire weekend (48 hours). Every second I spend at the station, I know it’s giving me the hands-on experience that I need for my future career in firefighting.
What led you to pursue work in the fire service? Have you always been passionate about it?
I accidentally fell in love with the fire service. My original goal was eventually to work for the Florida Coalition Against Sexual Violence (FSASC) located in Tallahassee. To make that goal a reality, I became a Disaster Services Intern with the Red Cross while simultaneously working full-time as a head lifeguard for the city. The Red Cross worked closely with the local Leon County Fire Department, and often put on volunteer events such as distributing fire alarms and smoke detectors to the communities most impacted by fires. With this consistent exposure to the fire department and fire service, it wasn’t long before it piqued my interest. The family environment, the loyalty, and the welcoming culture was intoxicating. I began doing more research on the fire service and what qualifications/schooling were required of me. However, that was put on hold as I was offered a job with Merrill Lynch in Jacksonville. I worked there for a year and a half before I commenced my search into fire service again. Initially, I was intimidated by how physically demanding the job was. However, I had several friends who were in the fire service and through their continued encouragement, I stepped out of my comfort zone.
How do you balance the demands and responsibilities between your two careers? Do you have any advice for others doing the same?
Keep going. Sometimes it can be exhausting juggling multiple hustles. I know there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and that I will eventually be hired on full-time at a fire department, so thats what drives me to keep going. If you love what you do—even if it’s part-time—keep doing it. Keep your drive and passion because it will eventually pay off for you, even the disappointments can turn out to be blessings in disguise. Thankfully, Merrill has been flexible with my scheduling so that I am able to still do what I love, while fulfilling my responsibilities to them.
How have your job(s) and roles differed from what they looked like before the pandemic?
For Merrill, everything has been transferred over to working from home. Many are not afforded this luxury, so I feel very grateful for it. From a first responder perspective, the way we interact with patients and the protocol we have to follow before, during and after every patient has taken some adjustments. Patient care and personal protection has been a top priority instilled in us from the first day of training. We now take extra precautions to ensure that we are protected from any potential exposure. Dispatchers are required to give radio reports on the patient if there is any potential of exposure, and the amount of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) available has also changed.
How do you remain calm and react effectively in emergency situations? Is this something you’ve learned through professional and/or academic training, or more of a gut instinct?
This is an interesting question. Being in this industry, I have always been worried about being exposed to traumatic scenarios, and how I would handle it—or honestly—if I would even be able to handle it. The only true way to determine if this was the job for me and something I could handle, was to experience those situations firsthand. Luckily, reacting effectively has been a gut instinct for me. The building can be on fire around me (quite literally) and trust me—there are moments of panic in my head, but on the outside, I am able to remain calm and focused on the task at hand.
What are some ways that we can support those in your job(s)/industry right now?
Do the best you can to stay home. I understand our job is to serve the public, however, especially during this time, please allow us to use our services for people that need it the most. We have loved ones and other immunocompromised patients that we interact with, so we want to try to limit the chance of any possible unnecessary exposure.
How are you balancing your demanding role right now with your own health + wellness? How do you leave your work “at work” and turn off for the day?
Fitness is a huge part of my health and wellness. It is physically and mentally essential to firefighting. It’s also a good outlet to channel stress. Thankfully, I have found arguably the best CrossFit gym in Jacksonville, which has not only supported me with firefighting but has physically helped me accomplish many goals. I am also a huge proponent of mental health, especially being in this industry with the traumatic situations that we are exposed to. I attend therapy twice a month and encourage everyone to do so, even if “nothing is wrong.”
How would you say being a woman has affected your professional experience? What can we do to create more equal, uplifting (and well-paying!) spaces for women in your industry?
Encourage young girls that even the male-dominated fields are welcoming to women and that women can do them too! I love having my niece or other little girls come up to me and take a tour of the fire engine. The visibility of seeing someone like you, doing something you maybe thought wasn’t an option, is powerful. The demanding physicality of the job was what I struggled with the most as a woman, because women aren’t typically conditioned for this kind of career. However, I was constantly pushed and encouraged by my instructors to keep going and eventually realized that this is something anyone can do. My instructors were instrumental in building my confidence to continue with this career. On the other side of that, I have noticed that a lot of the pressure to succeed and do well comes internally. I feel as though I have a point to prove. Being a firefighter, you have to earn respect from your fellow firefighters, no matter how you identify. The most important thing in this industry is trust, as you need to trust your fellow firefighters with your life and that has to be proven, understandably. These are characteristics that are valued most in the fire service: respect and trust—which are not gender-specific.
What’s one thing you wish the general public knew (or put into action) re: this pandemic?
Honestly, I have seen much more compassion and humanity from the people in the community that I serve. They are eternally grateful for what we do and they show that everyday. Also, seeing communities come together for others has been amazing, whether it be a neighbor checking on someone and bringing groceries, or asking for a parade of fire trucks for a child’s birthday. There are a lot of positives that go unseen, which I think everyone could use right about now.
Career and/or life advice for other babes (both inside and outside of your industry)?
The most important thing I’ve learned is to make sure you have time for yourself and to enjoy life. I was working at least 40hrs a week at Merrill and 48hrs every weekend at the fire station. I quickly learned I was burning the wick at both ends and was not spending enough time with friends, family, and most importantly, myself. Allow yourself the room to make mistakes. You will have disappointments, and you will have triumphs. Enjoy them the same, and learn from both.
In partnership with: Warby Parker
Warby Parker is home to a trendy, socially-conscious eyeglass collection (with a kickass startup success story.) We're big fans of their Home Try-On Program, where you can select 5 different frames online, have them delivered to your door, take 'em for a spin, pick out your faves, then send them all back—all before spending a dime. Learn more about it here.
*This is an affiliate partnership. That means when you shop using the links we provide, a portion of your purchase comes right back to us, so we can continue creating content that matters. Of course, we only promote brands and products we genuinely stand behind. Thank you so much for your support!
Interested in advertising with us? Email us!
Join our community:
Instagram / Facebook / Partnerships / Shop
