The uniform worn by Jessica Vanegas weighs a hefty 60 pounds, and she handles it like any other experienced firefighter. Wearing it is part of the requirements Vanegas has had to work hard to fulfill in order to achieve that title.
On March 3, Vanegas became the first woman in a decade to pass all physical exams required by the Paulding County Fire and Rescue department. It also marks the first time a Latina has achieved the status of firefighter in the northwestern Georgia county.
And while her joy at this accomplishment is evident, Vanegas, who is 20 years old and a native of El Salvador, is handling the feat with grace and humility.
“There are other women who have done more than me. And if they can do it, so can I,” explained Vanegas in an interview with MundoHispánico.
The desire to become a firefighter was born when Vanegas was just a little girl.
“My brother was always sick when we were young, and sometimes we had to call 911. I always saw that the rescue workers were so calm and in control of the situation. That was when I realized that I wanted to be like them, that I wanted to be a firefighter,” said Vanegas, who is the youngest in her family.
The journey to get there has not always been rose colored, however. During the first weeks of training, Vanegas found herself asking if it was truly her destiny to become a firefighter.
Training, which commenced at dawn, lasted 14 weeks and required all of her strength and mental energy to respond to a plethora of emergency situations.
“In the third week, we were doing a physical test and I fainted. When I came to, I wasn’t sure if this was for me,” said Vanegas. “But some teammates told me: ‘That happens. This doesn’t make you weak, but rather, it shows that in an emergency, you’re able to give everything that you have.’”
Today, Vanegas has a lot for which to be grateful.
“My family is the first thing, they are one of the most important things to me. They have been there for me, and I will be there for them,” assured Vanegas, who added a piece of advice to the community: “Don’t give up.”
About the Author
