Mock Profile

When I Grow Up

Ask any little kid what they want to be when they grow up, and you will probably hear answers like firefighter, doctor and astronaut.  If you then check back in 15 or 20 years, their answer has probably changed.

Emma Barnett, a junior at High Point University, has not completely changed her answer, only added to it.

Barnett has known from the time she was in 4th grade that she wanted to be a broadcast reporter.  And about four years ago, she added a goal to her list. She decided that she wanted to become an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).

"People would tell me that my goals would change in high school or college, and I just kept telling them, 'No, they won't,' " she stated Wednesday.  "I know what I want in life and I know how to get it."

Barnett, age four

Barnett has stayed true to her goals.  She is in her third year studying journalism and will graduate with a degree in 2015. During the recent years she has also expanded her medical skills to prepare her for EMT training.

"It has interested me for years now.  I don't really know why I didn't join a department before now, but something made me wait.  I have always wanted to help people."

In 2010, when Barnett first became interested in joining a department, people including her family told her that she couldn't do it.

 Despite her families caution, she is not one to back down from a challenge and this is no different.

Joining any fire department starts with a ride along.  A ride along is when you go to the station, get to know the people there and when there is a call, you go with them. Barnett describes, "It's like when you go to a college and shadow a student for the day."

After her first ride along in 2011, Barnett found a station she liked.  She knew she wanted to join, but something told her not yet.

After a few years, she found herself half way through her Junior year in college. Now was the perfect time.  She applied to the station that she had done the ride along at two years ago.

Barnett reflecting back onto her feelings after sending in her first application, "I was really excited! I was taking the first steps to actually join the department."

Shortly after sending in her application, Barnett received bad news. "I got an email that said 'As I understand your application, you are currently enrolled in an academic institution located in North Carolina.  Unfortunately, we are unable to process your application or provide training until you relocate within 25 miles of Rockville, Maryland.  Please consider reapplying when you return to the area.' I was heart broken."

After reading that email, Barnett called one of her friends who is a firefighter at another station, Phil Smith.  Smith recommended she do a ride along at his department, Station 40, to see if she liked it.

Barnett did do the ride along and loved the station. "I felt like I was back on path again.  Nothing was going to stop me now, that was just a speed bump in the road."

Barnett has applied to station 40 and is waiting to hear back from their membership chair. That was at the beginning of 2014.  Since then, she has started looking at joining departments in another county.

Firefighter Sgt. Tim Jones

Barnett a life-long resident of Montgomery County, Maryland is now looking for a department in Prince George's County.  One of her best friends, Tim Jones, is a Sargent and the Membership Chair at Station 33 in Prince George's County, has been helping her look at stations. 

"Oh, I wouldn't be where I am now without Tim! He's one of my best friends. I wish I could join Station 33, but they don't have an ambulance... that and he would NEVER let me join there.  Tim has been a firefighter for years.  He knows some of the calls they get and I know he worries about me and my safety.  And I really value his opinion because he grew up around the fire house."


When we spoke to Jones about his reasons for joining the fire service, he explained, "I joined because my father was a fireman for 32 years and he loved the job. He would always take me to Rockville where he's a life member and I'd hang out at the firehouse with him. I loved it the brotherhood, comrade and the atmosphere. It's a second family."

Murphy, relaxing at the fire station

Barnett explains that because of her friendship with Jones, she has become almost like a little sister to some of the Firefighters at Kentland Engine Company 33, including the station dog, Murphy.  

Recently, Barnett flew home to meet with different departments.  She wanted to see what other counties could offer. "I really liked Station 9.  I think I would really fit in there."

Barnett has meetings planned for the beginning and middle of March. "I want to be the reason little kids want to be a firefighter when they grow up.  And nothing is going to stop me from achieving my goals."

News Elements

·      Who- Emma Barnett

·      What- Joining the Fire Department

·      When-Ongoing

·      Where- Maryland

·      Why- Why not?

News Values: Conflict, Oddity

Type of Lede: anecdotal, descriptive