Bristol 51 Mothers Balance Firefighting and Raising Children

Motherhood isn’t stopping volunteers at Bristol Fire Company (Station 51) from helping their community. While balancing children and the fire company can be a challenge, firefighters Anna Greway and Vicky Smithkors said it is something they can be proud to share with their children, which encourages them to also volunteer.

“You can be a parent and a volunteer,” Greway said. She is a mother of three young children. “It’s difficult, but it’s worth it. Volunteering as a firefighter is rewarding.”

Greway and Smithkors are just two of the many mothers among the ranks of volunteers at Bristol 51. Greway said part of what makes volunteering as a firefighter a good fit for her as a mother is the flexibility, since emergency calls come in at all times of the day.

“You can answer calls whenever you are available,” Greway said. “You can do it during any free time you have since calls come in at all times of the day and night.”

For Smithkors, who is the mother of a teenager, she balances her time as a volunteer with her daughter’s activities schedule. She said they try to “even out” their schedules so they can spend time together.

“It’s important to make sure that you spend time with your children,” Smithkors said. “Bristol 51 makes it easier though, since we include our children in many of the activities we do as a station.”

Smithkors said the fire company hosts many events and activities, such as fire prevention week, where volunteers can bring their children and spouses.

Both Greway and Smithkors said that one thing parent volunteers need to share with their children is what being a volunteer firefighter means. They said sharing this information is crucial to making the children feel more comfortable with it.

“You don’t want your children afraid every time you leave the house on a call. You need to be open with them about not only the danger of firefighting, but the safety measures and training involved as well,” Smithkor said. “My daughter has realized that what we do is dangerous but I talk to her about it. It strengthens our relationship and it’s made me more cautious over the years. You always have to keep in the back of your mind that you’ve got a kid to go home to.”

However, both said they wouldn’t change their decision to volunteer.

“My son wants to be a firefighter because of me,” Greway said. “I want to be a good example for my children. I want them to see that I volunteer and give back to the community, so when they get older, they’ll want to as well.”

“I encourage my daughter to help others in ways she likes,” Smithkors said. “I would support her decision to join the fire company, but the important thing is I want her to know that service to the community you live in matters.”

While Greway and Smithkors are firefighters, many other volunteer opportunities are available at the fire company for those who prefer to stay out of burning buildings. Volunteers are needed for rescue operations, E.M.S. operations, fire police and support personnel. All volunteers are vital to the functionality of the fire company.

“The fire company is like a family,” Greway said. “You can volunteer doing things you like to do. There are a lot of opportunities with Station 51.”