Taking the Heat

Kristen Ellershaw knows how to take the heat. A competitive player on the women's soccer team, Ellershaw battles the heat off the playing field as a volunteer for the Logan Township United Fire Company.

Ellershaw was motivated to volunteer, not only to fight fires, but also to see if she could handle the duties of an emergency medical technician (EMT) when she goes out on calls with the fire company. Beginning her EMT certification this fall, she hopes to complete it before the end of the school year in May. Ultimately, Ellershaw hopes to graduate from the college's Nursing program and looks at her experience with the fire company as great training for her desired profession According to Ellershaw, every member of the company has numerous and wide-ranging responsibilities to help it run successfully. Her specific duties at Logan Township United include cleaning trucks, checking air packs, cleaning the fire hall, volunteering at the annual fund raiser, completing regular training courses, and working regular fire grounds or emergency scenes.

The family atmosphere at Logan Township United has become this Levittown, Pennsylvania native's "home away from home."

"My favorite thing is the people," states Ellershaw. "I'm four hours from home, and the guys have become my family here. They help me with my homework, fix my car, and even come to some of my games. Anytime I need something, they're always willing to help in a heartbeat."

Managing her studies, her sport, and her volunteer responsibilities with the fire company is a delicate balancing act. "It's hard for me to say exactly how I balance it all, because I haven't quite figured that out myself," laughs Ellershaw.

"It takes some creative scheduling with regard to classes and soccer and training sessions for the fire department. I'm lucky to have professors that go out of their way to help, as well as an understanding coaching staff here. The people around me definitely make the balancing act much easier." 

While Ellershaw is unsure of how long she will continue as a volunteer firefighter, so far, the people and experiences have made it all worthwhile.

"Firefighting is something I have to take one day at a time and enjoy the experience for what it is," notes Ellershaw. "I don't know if it's something I'll continue to do, but what I can say is that I love what I do, I love who I work with, and I love playing soccer."

"The people around me definitely make the balancing act much easier."
—Kristen Ellershaw