By Frances Fanning
Albuquerque Journal (New Mexico)
Copyright 2006 Albuquerque Journal

The Firefighter's Serenity Prayer reads: "God grant me Serenity to accept the dangers of my job, Courage to do what I can to protect people's lives, and Wisdom to put my safety into Your hands."

In talking with firefighter Valerie Soto, the words of this verse ring clear and true. The poised young woman speaks with an air of serenity, courage and wisdom as she discusses her life's work.

"There is so much pride in being a firefighter. Pride in what you do and the people you work with. It is a life-changing experience. You cannot compare this job to anything else," says Soto during one of her 48-hour shifts at the Southern Boulevard fire station.

Soto has been a Rio Rancho firefighter/EMT for five years. "I was in nursing school but it just was not for me," she says.

Then an uncle, Albuquerque firefighter Chris Chavez, took her for a ride on a fire engine and she was hooked.

"There is nothing else I want to do. You do not do this work to get rich, but people who become firefighters love it."

After Soto made her decision to apply for work, she went through emergency medical technician (EMT) training. Then she went to the firefighting academy. There is an academy in Rio Rancho's fire station for prospective recruits.

"I am testing for captain. It is a leadership position and more paperwork," she says. "But I like running calls and being hands-on."

Three other women work at the fire station. Asked if any changes needed to be made when the first woman firefighter was hired, she shrugs her shoulders.

"Not really," she says. "The bunk room is one big open room. Everyone is respectful. We all get along."

"It smells nicer with women here," jokes fellow firefighter Aaron McDevitt.

When the male firefighters get serious, they are all in agreement that women carry their weight and are treated the same as their male counterparts.

"Everyone goes through the Combat Challenge once a year," says firefighter and paramedic Diego Martinez.

The Firefighter Combat Challenge tests firefighter fitness by putting each firefighter through a simulation of the rigors of their work. Wearing "full bunker gear," they perform a series of tasks, including dragging hoses, hoisting ladders and rescuing a lifesized "victim."

Soto proudly points out that she ranks in the upper third in the department physically.

"I am hard on myself," she says. "I think it is important for the men to feel comfortable with me physically. Fully geared, the men can weigh from 350 to 400 pounds, and if they have a problem, I need to be there for them."

Proving that a woman can be strong as well as beautiful, Soto won a slot in the National Female Firefighters calendar for 2005.

"I was the only woman from New Mexico in the calendar," she says. Funds from the sale of calendars go to a foundation for burn victims.

She was married in July to Rio Rancho police officer Ray Soto; the couple enjoys travel, skiing, snowboarding and riding their motorcycles together.

Asked about expressing her feminine side, this selfconfessed tomboy laughs.

"I don't do the girl thing. My feminine side is buried deep inside me, very deep. My mom knows."