New Kids on the Block This summer, LFD welcomed aboard 14 new “Rookie” firefighters. Due to varying shifts and placements at different stations it can be a real challenge to get to know the new recruits well. The ten new firefighters were asked to answer some telling questions to help fellow LFD personnel get a better idea of who they are and why they’re here. Some of the responders were a bit more candid than others, so read below to get to know a little or a lot, depending on who we asked, about the new additions to the crew. Rookies not featured in this issue did not complete the provided questionnaire.
Stephanie Parente, 27, didn’t necessarily always know she wanted to be a firefighter, but admitted that after the first day of fire standards she knew she had found her calling. Stephanie who brings valuable paramedic skills with her to the job and says she truly enjoys coming to work and not knowing what they day has in store for her. She also really enjoys the bonds forged between her and her fellow crew mates and really values how much like a family the group feels. She attributes that sense of bonding to the fact that everyone always works so well on emergency scenes because they all understand the gravity of their work and the impact they make as a whole to the citizens of Lakeland. When asked if she has encountered any challenges yet she jokes that the schedule sure has taken some getting used to and that she is slowly working through her fear of repelling. She’s actually grateful that the job pushes her to her limits and has her overcome any obstacles she is faced with. On the job, she looks to Lt. Dougherty as her mentor and says “He has offered me valuable guidance and advice that will certainly help me throughout my career. He conducts himself in a professional authoritative manor but with an approachable and non-threatening demeanor. However, I have also been very lucky because all of my crew members have served as mentors that have all been very willing to teach and help me improve where I need it.” For now Stephanie wants to work on becoming the best firefighter she can be but does see a long and fulfilling career with LFD. As alluded to, Stephanie was a paramedic before being hired with LFD and worked for both Busch Gardens and Concentra. For fun she enjoys soaking in musicals, a personal passion of hers, and is recently focusing more on being involved in extreme running events like tough mudder and savage races. She feels that “Happy” would be the best word to describe herself.
Steven Murphy, 25, has wanted to be a firefighter since a young age. He says “the camaraderie, respect and influence from my father all played a part in my decision to seek employment with LFD.” Steven’s father was a veteran LFD firefighter who recently retired after 38 years of service. He truly enjoys all of the aspects of the job but is particularly touched when members of the community reorganize the service and value that LFD provides to them as citizens. He says he has been fortunate enough to encounter citizens while out and about that have shared their thanks with him and that he is very humbled by it. When asked what he thought was the most rewarding aspects of the job, Steven says “knowing that I have the best job ever. Every shift I love my job more and more. Having a career that I truly cherish and appreciate is very rewarding to me.” On the job Steven considers Lt. Matt Brown to be a personal mentor, who has played a large role in helping him on the job, and in the areas of education and training. While he plans on focusing all of his energy in the near future to being the best firefighter he can be he does one day hope to rise in the ranks as the opportunity presents itself. Prior to working at LFD he worked at Publix in the Meat Department. During his free time he enjoys SCUBA diving, fishing, lobstering, and working on cars. 8