By FireRescue1 Staff
HARLINGEN, Texas — Bree Rios has wanted to become a firefighter since she was a child. Twenty years later, that dream is becoming reality.
Valley Central reported that Rios’ father, Victor, is an engineer for the Harlingen Fire Department.
“When she was little she told me, ‘Well, one of these days I’m going to work with you, daddy,’” Rios said.
Rios is the first female in the city to pass the firefighter exam.
“I’ve realized how big of an impact it has made and it’s only been not even a week yet,” Rios said.
Rios earned an EMS certification and worked as an EMT for eight months; she said she took the firefighter exam three times. She passed on her third try.
“I have no doubt in my mind that she will be able to physically … do anything and everything every other firefighter here at this job is required to do,” Lt. Jamie Quiroga said.
Rios said she refused to give up – even when faced with failure.
“To the women and the young girls of the community: if you set your mind to something and you really want to do it, go out and do it,” she said. “It can happen.”
https://www.facebook.com/harlingenfiredepartment/photos/a.706821976148680.1073741828.706769169487294/808836735947203/?type=3&theater https://www.facebook.com/harlingenfiredepartment/photos/a.706821976148680.1073741828.706769169487294/806265716204305/?type=3&theater