One
Hot Mama
The
edited version of this story first appeared in Simcoe
Life Magazine
Adventure
Issue - Summer 2007
Volume
4 Issue 1
Water
and fire are opposites, and we’re not talking
astrology here, folks. Amy Hann’s voice is clear
and confident during the cell phone conversation as
she answers questions from the deck of her boat. The
sound of wake hitting the underside of the boat offers
the serenity Hann seeks after a strenuous long-weekend
of accidents, fires and rollovers.
The
28 year-old Registered Practical Nurse and mother
of two has been fighting fires and attending vehicular
accident calls for nearly 4 years. With her interest
in firefighting fueled at an early age, she watched
as girlfriends’ fathers answered calls from
their dispatch. Reaching adulthood and having children
motivated Hann to pursue her interest more seriously.
“It
seemed like the right thing to do – to help
the community. I started at Georgian Bay Township.
There were other women on the halls there at the time.
With Tay Township’s four halls, it was different.
I was the first woman firefighter accepted for a position.
It happened to be at Waubaushene Station No. 1, and
the guys were hesitant. I had to prove myself. I attended
Ontario Fire College in Gravenhurst and I still train
regularly, covering topics such as self-survival,
auto extrication, search and rescue. They treat me
like their sister now.”
For
her paid volunteer position, Hann wears a pager 24
hours a day, seven days a week. When asked if she
has ever been afraid or emotional, she responds,
“Ironically,
fire scares me. However, if it was my home burning,
or my kids or family trapped in that vehicle, I would
want as many people, scared or not, on the scene.
We all have had moments of emotion. They are after
the fact, in the form of sleep disturbances. Young
fatalities are disturbing.”
When
asked if there are any hunks on her team, she laughs.
“I
don’t see them that way. My colleagues are like
my brothers. As for calendars, I’ve never been
featured in one!"e!”
Photo
©Elizabeth Bokfi
