Kathy Garcia, Maricopa’s first female firefighter

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Maricopa’s Fire Department has always been a brotherhood, working together to protect people and property in this community. Last month, on July 26, a sister joined the ranks. Kathy Garcia became Maricopa’s first female firefighter.

Some people might think that being “the only girl” is a tough assignment. “It’s no big deal,” said Garcia, who describes herself as “just one of the guys.” “I’m very fortunate to work with such a great group of individuals,” she stated. “At first I was a little quiet, but not any more. We have too much fun laughing and joking around.”

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Maricopa’s first female firefighter is just “one of the guys”.

“What really impressed me about Kathy is her great attitude,” said Chief Bill Kelleher. “Dragging hoses is no fun after a fire incident, but Kathy just does her job with a big smile on her face, even when she’s tired.”

Doing a good job, facing challenges and having goals is what Kathy Garcia is all about. A member of the Pima tribe, she grew up on nearby Gila River Indian lands. As a teenager she dropped out of high school, but, when she became pregnant, she re-enrolled. “I decided that I wanted my child to have a better life. To do that, I needed to get an education,” she explained.

Before joining the Maricopa Fire Department, Garcia had eight and a half years of experience with the Gila River Fire Department. “I used to hang out with friends and family members who were firefighters,” explained Garcia. “I’d watch them doing drills and think, “I bet I could do that”.”

Proud to be a part of the first all Native American Firefighters’ Academy class at Mesa Community College, Garcia graduated in 1997. Of the 24 students who finished the training, six were women. All of them went on to work at the Gila River Fire Department. During her years with that department, Garcia took several fire classes to advance her skills in various areas.

Garcia, who is also an EMT, indicated that she saw Maricopa as a growing fire department with lots of potential. “I had been on some mutual aid calls and met the firefighters here,” she added. “I like all the duties. Being busy makes the day go faster, and all the camaraderie makes the job a lot easier.”

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Kathy Garcia, just getting off a 24 hour shift.

Garcia’s particular shift has been very busy. They hold the departmental record for most calls in a 24-hour period. In one day they had 11 calls, only four of them before 10 p.m. The average number of calls is about two or three per day.

Each shift of four firefighters works a rotation schedule of 24 hours on and 24 hours off with a four-day break in between. A single mom, Garcia relies on her mother to help with her two children. Roland, 17, is presently doing a three-year engineering internship with Lockheed-Martin. Devin, 10, plans a career in the medical field.

Asked what the worst part of her job is, Garcia was quick to respond, “When kids get hurt.” The best part of the job is, according to her, “Knowing you made a difference. We are in a position where we are a little more capable to help others and to make lives better.”

What does Garcia do with her time off? Three classes away from completing her nursing preparation studies at Central Arizona College, she hopes to be accepted into the two-year nursing degree program there. “Nursing will be something to fall back on, especially if I got hurt,” she explained. “I’ll retire in my 40’s, so it will also be a good part-time job then.”

Firefighter, single mom and nursing student, Garcia knows about doing the job well, facing challenges and having realistic goals. She is a true role model for young females in this community.

Her advice to those young women says a great deal about the person Kathy Garcia is. “Stick to your goals and dreams. If you don’t have a goal, get one. There’s more to life than you see right in front of you.”

Kathy Garcia, Maricopa’s first female firefighter, is living proof of the value of her advice.