Firefighter’s own rescue kindled interest in helping others

By Fran Lyons

A tragic car accident when Ciara Crowley was a toddler planted a seed for a life in public service.

The seed sprouted quickly. When she was about 6, her grandmother helped her understand how lucky she was to survive the crash and the little girl decided she wanted to be a firefighter when she grew up. Later in life, it was clear her motivation to become a first responder was rooted in saving lives and helping people in crisis.

Crowley spent years on her dream. In 2018, she moved to Tempe to work as an EMT for the city’s fire department while studying at a cadet program designed to develop skills and prepare her for acceptance to the firefighting academy. Last summer, Crowley joined the Maricopa Fire Department as a probationary firefighter.

“Resiliency is one of my strongest traits,” she said. “I consider myself a student of the
craft and mastery is a primary goal. I know I have the strength to meet and deal with
whatever presents itself to me in my life.”

Chris Bolinger, deputy chief at Maricopa Fire, has mentored Crowley in her development
as a firefighter.

“She excelled at the interview process and also demonstrated her passion for the job,” he said. “Ciara’s commitment to a healthy, physically fit lifestyle and capacity for public service were also major contributing factors to her outstanding qualifications.”

Although just starting out, she already has plans to climb the ladder to the rank of captain.

A SECOND CHANCE

Born in Danville, California, Crowley is one of seven children — four boys and three girls,
including her twin sister.

When she was just 2 years old, her family was involved in a devastating and life-altering rollover auto accident. Her mother and stepfather were ejected from the car. He died instantly and her mother’s injuries left her paralyzed. Crowley and her twin sister had to be extricated from the vehicle by firefighters, who also rescued their siblings.

While she said she does not remember the tragic event, Crowley’s “second chance” at life
set the tone for her future and the path she would follow.

After the accident, Ciara and her siblings were raised by grandparents in Danville.

A runner in high school, she participated in several other sports and fitness activities. After graduation, she attended community college to study Emergency Medical Services and became a qualified EMT. Becoming even more dedicated to her fitness regime, she worked out every day to enhance her strength, endurance and agility.

After moving to Tempe, she began applying to regional fire departments. The Maricopa Fire/Medical Department responded. In June 2020, after two rounds of rigorous interviews before a panel, she was offered a job as a recruit.

Crowley’s next step was basic training. She began her 16-week boot camp in August 2020 at East Valley Recruit Fire Academy in Mesa where classes included academic lessons and a daily, 1—2-hour physical training routine.

“We had a weekly skills course designed for those who have never touched a fire hose,”
Crowley said.

48 HOURS ON, 96 HOURS OFF

A top priority for Crowley was to gain complete confidence in her ability to carry the strenuous weight and workload required of each firefighter.

“We were tested weekly on what we had learned and practiced and how well we were
prepared,” she said. “Throughout our time in the academy we prepped to work in the fire
environment of live, ‘hot-fire’ situations where we needed to climb building structures, rescue people and work with the ‘bottle,’ or the SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus).”

Crowley graduated from the fire academy in December. She was among eight women in
her graduation class of 40 participants and she’s one of two female firefighters in Maricopa. She is currently assigned to a truck at Maricopa Fire Station 575 on Edison Road.

Well into her probationary year, she has been rotating between different captains and
crews at the four stations. Her shift includes 48 continuous hours on duty, then 96 hours
off duty.

“I love our family of firefighters at the department here in Maricopa. I have been welcomed like a sister in a family of brothers,” Crowley said. “We all work together in close proximity sharing chores, cooking and a good sense of humor. We also share the serious nature of the job — the EMS calls, the hard calls.”

Her work as a first responder makes her happy and she plans a long career.

“I plan to dedicate my life to being a firefighter and medical rescue provider until I
retire,” Crowley said. “I look forward to all phases of the job and the career opportunities along the way through the ranks from firefighter/EMT to paramedic, engineer to captain.”

Crowley said she loves Maricopa and enjoys outdoor activities, friends and family.

CIARA CROWLEY
Age: 22
Residence: Tempe
Family: My boyfriend and me
Favorite firehouse food: Teriyaki chicken and rice
Motto: “Be happy in life. Be kind. Get up and contribute. Serve your community.”