Unsung Sheroes
Firefighter Blazes New Trails
Jacqueline Smith
Issue date: 3/8/01 Section: City
This is the second of a five-part series for Women’s History Month profiling women active in the D.C. community. To nominate a phenomenal woman you think should be profiled, e-mail or fax Community News at Community_News1@excite.com or (202) 806-4638.
It must be like walking into hell.
She approaches the bright orange, wrathful flames as they leap demonically in every direction, enveloping everything within their reach. Her protective suit shields her from the heat. Her helmet blocks the stench of the heavy black smoke that would otherwise engulf her lungs and burn her eyes and nostrils.
Carrying an extra 80 pounds of gear, the firefighter is charged to enter the raging flames and rescue the people inside the building. The temperature is a raging 400 degrees. The firefighter’s mind is racing. The screams of the people are becoming fainter and fainter, and the only thing on the firefighter’s mind is getting them out of there.
To the average laborer, working only eight days a month may seem like heaven, but for a firefighter, each of those eight days is a hectic 24-hour drama.
Meet Tomi Rucker who has been a D.C. firefighter for the past four years and is passionate about the job.
“It’s a real blast,” Rucker said. “I like it because you don’t know where you are going to be or what you’re going to do that day.”
An average day in Rucker’s life begins by waking up and getting ready for work in order to arrive at Engine Six Station, 1300 New Jersey Ave. N.W., by 5:45 a.m. Upon arrival, Rucker relieves the person whose shift is complete and proceeds to inspect and wash the fire truck, equipment and other tools.
Now it’s time for breakfast, the most important time of the day, which gives the firefighters an opportunity to discuss their lives. It allows them to bond and develop a sense of trust as a team. The rest of Rucker’s shift is spent conducting and participating in firefighting drills and answering between 20 to 25 emergency calls that day.
It must be like walking into hell.
She approaches the bright orange, wrathful flames as they leap demonically in every direction, enveloping everything within their reach. Her protective suit shields her from the heat. Her helmet blocks the stench of the heavy black smoke that would otherwise engulf her lungs and burn her eyes and nostrils.
Carrying an extra 80 pounds of gear, the firefighter is charged to enter the raging flames and rescue the people inside the building. The temperature is a raging 400 degrees. The firefighter’s mind is racing. The screams of the people are becoming fainter and fainter, and the only thing on the firefighter’s mind is getting them out of there.
To the average laborer, working only eight days a month may seem like heaven, but for a firefighter, each of those eight days is a hectic 24-hour drama.
Meet Tomi Rucker who has been a D.C. firefighter for the past four years and is passionate about the job.
“It’s a real blast,” Rucker said. “I like it because you don’t know where you are going to be or what you’re going to do that day.”
An average day in Rucker’s life begins by waking up and getting ready for work in order to arrive at Engine Six Station, 1300 New Jersey Ave. N.W., by 5:45 a.m. Upon arrival, Rucker relieves the person whose shift is complete and proceeds to inspect and wash the fire truck, equipment and other tools.
Now it’s time for breakfast, the most important time of the day, which gives the firefighters an opportunity to discuss their lives. It allows them to bond and develop a sense of trust as a team. The rest of Rucker’s shift is spent conducting and participating in firefighting drills and answering between 20 to 25 emergency calls that day.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Patricia Whitworh
posted 10/22/09 @ 10:29 PM EST
Hello Tomi (Pebbles),
Betcha that caught you off guard, this is an ole friend from St. Aug. I was very happy to read this story about you, although it does'nt surprise me, you were always wanting more. (Continued…)
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