<\/p>\n
At just 21 years old, Kaelee Allmon has had a few hurdles to overcome in her quest to become a firefighter.<\/p>\n
The biggest was her size. At just 5-feet-2 inches, Allmon became the first full-time female firefighter with the Cortez Fire Protection District last week. And she has been awarded the Firefighter of the Year Award.<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t expect that at all,\u201d Allmon said .<\/p>\n
Over the years, Allmon \u2013 nicknamed \u201cTaz,\u201d as in \u201cTazmanian Devil\u201d \u2013 has overcome her size and an injury.<\/p>\n
Allmon said the physical tests to become a firefighter are daunting. One required her to climb a ladder while wearing a 45-pound vest and carrying a 70-pound roll of hose.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you weigh 100 pounds soaking wet, it\u2019s not fun. It kicks my butt,\u201d Allmon said.<\/p>\n
Allmon trained hard for the test, said Fire Chief Jeff Vandevoorde.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe kicked butt on the test this year,\u201d Vandevoorde said.<\/p>\n
Leverage is her friend, Allmon said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t use my size as a disadvantage. I just do things a different way,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The test included pulling a hose, dragging a 170-pound dummy and moving a Keiser sled. A Keiser sled, which simulates forcible entry, weighs 150 to 160 pounds and must be moved by hitting it with a sledge hammer.<\/p>\n
Allmon was honored during an award ceremony Feb. 21. She was nominated by fellow firefighters.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe got the most nominations, that is for sure,\u201d Vandevoorde said. \u201cShe is really dedicated and has improved over the years.\u201d<\/p>\n
Allmon said she was drawn to emergency services because her father is a police officer and her mother is a nurse. Her mother\u2019s motorcycle accident opened her eyes to the value of first responders, and she started taking firefighter classes at Montezuma-Cortez High School. She has been a part-time firefighter with the district since she was 19 years old.<\/p>\n
While attending the fire academy at San Juan College, Allmon was sideline by a broken foot.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was climbing stairs with weight, and my arch collapsed. It broke during a combat challenge,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
After taking time off, Allmon had surgery on both her feet.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was horrible,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Working as a full-time firefighter has its challenges. Cortez firefighters work 48-hour shifts, but she says she enjoys it.<\/p>\n
\u201cHelping people is the biggest part of the job,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s a fun job, but it is not easy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jeter earns Chief\u2019s Award<\/p>\n
Also on Feb. 21, Staton Jeter was awarded the Chief\u2019s Award.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe is really proud to be a full-time firefighter and very dedicated,\u201d Vandevoorde said.<\/p>\n
Jeter, also 21, has developed a maintenance and inventory program and earned the rank of lieutenant.<\/p>\n
Also Feb. 21, the department promoted its first full-time new officers. Danny Barfield, Jared Miller and Staton Jeter were all promoted to lieutenant. They went through a very competitive process and have been taking classes, training and studying for about a year to test for this position.<\/p>\n
The Cortez Fire Protection District has 40 firefighters. Nine of them are full-time firefighters.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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