Public Opinion
PLEASANT HALL, Pa. — Jennifer Courtney was not too keen about becoming a firefighter eight years ago. In an unguarded moment, Courtney admits “my son made me do it.”
Now she’s Assistant Fire Chief at Pleasant Hall Fire Volunteer Fire Department.
As the company’s first-ever female chief officer — and possibly the first in Franklin County, as well — Courtney expresses no regrets for the decision her son forced on her.
“He was 14 and wanted to become a junior member, but he didn’t want to go through the training alone,” Courtney said of her son, Matthew Kendall, who is now 22 and her immediate superior as Pleasant Hall’s Deputy Chief. “I finally agreed, and as I progressed, I enjoyed it more and more and more.
“It’s been a great bonding opportunity with my son and I love to help people.”
Courtney said Pleasant Hall veterans say she is definitely the first female chief officer at that company.
“Others say I’m the first in the county, but no one seems to know if that’s true,” she said.
In any event, Courtney said the example she sets is meaningful.
“It is important to me (to be the first woman),” she said. “I hope it will inspire other women. Firefighting has typically been a male-domionated field and we need more women. The fact that I was elected to this position means I earned their respect.”
As a 36-year-old “rookie” in 2006, Courtney benefitted greatly from members with a wealth of experience to share as mentors. She’s since progressed through the company’s ranks, starting as a firefighter and advancing to fill the rank of sergeant, lieutenant and captain while becoming an EMT along the way.
She’s also become a mentor in her own right and said she’s had the privilege of mentoring a few female firefighters – something she’d like to see more of.
“My goal is to get more young people and women involved,” Courtney said. “I’m not sure if women are afraid or what, but the numbers of volunteers are slipping and we need to attract more.”
Although firefighters are needed, Courtney makes a special effort to point out that there are many roles in volunteer emergency services.
“I think some people look at the fire company and say ‘I don’t want to fight fires or ride in an ambulance,’ so there’s nothing for me to do,” she said. “I always say every person has their place. You don’t have to ride in a fire truck or an ambulance to serve. There’s fire prevention (education) and fundraising, too.”
Courtney was elected to her Assistant Chief post in January in a vote by active and life members.
She said her role as a front line firefighter has diminished since then.
“As a chief officer, I’m learning how to command (a fire scene) and make sure all the safety measures are in place,” Courtney said. “I want to make sure all our people come back home and come back safe.”
Pleasant Hall Volunteer Fire Department priovides first-due fire service to the village of Pleasant Hall and portions of Letterkenny, Lurgan and Greene townships and the Borough of Orrstown.
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