By JENNIFER COMPSTON-STROUGH

CENTERVILLE — When Patty Phillips started volunteering in the fire service, most departments in the region were made up of volunteers.

That has changed, and so has the number of women who are involved. Several local departments now pay some or all of their members, and a growing number of members are women.

“There were women in the EMS side, but not as many in the fire service,” Phillips said of her early career. “I see more young women getting involved, showing passion for and being hired as firefighter/EMT/paramedics. I see them striving to put forth their best efforts and doing something that they love. I see departments in the Ohio Valley embracing them and allowing them to shine.”

Phillips is married to her high school sweetheart, Smith Township Volunteer Fire Department Chief John Phillips. Their son John is assistant fire chief. He and his wife Annie have three children – Cooper, Kyer and Brielle. John and Patty’s daughter Sarah Martin and her husband Brian are parents to McKayla, Emelyne and Briar.

Patty married John right after graduating from Union Local High School and started raising their family.

“I was always a stay-at-home mom,” Patty said. “When John became the fire chief, I knew if I wanted to see him I would need to begin my volunteer career. Our children were old enough to stay home alone, so I took that step.”

Phillips took a basic EMT class at then-Belmont Technical College in 1993. A few years later she took it a step further and completed advanced EMT training. She has been a volunteer ever since.

She was named the 2002 EMT of the Year by the Belmont County Fire and Squad Officers Association.

Fire training came next, with Phillips completing Basic Fire class and Firefighter 1 classes. Now she is a Fire Safety Inspector for the local area. She has also taken HAZMAT classes, driver training classes, UTV rescue classes, rope rescue training “and just about anything else that comes along that I have time for.”

“My husband is very supportive of all of it, knowing that it benefits our small department,” she said.

Phillips’ advice to young women looking at the fire/EMS service as a career is simple: Find a career that makes you happy every day.

“Talk to people and get their feelings, good and bad, about what they do,” she recommended. “Do ride-alongs if possible – not everyone can handle blood and puke. Talk to the seasoned veterans and get their perspective. What have they liked? What has been hard for them?

“Don’t be afraid to ask questions. It isn’t just a man’s career anymore. Don’t be afraid to volunteer, just don’t forget where you started.”

Phillips learned some time ago that she can rely on her faith to help her do what she can to help others.

“Several years ago we were transporting an older woman with extremely high blood pressure, stroke symptoms high. I have known her many years, and she knew I believed in God. She asked us to pray with her,” Phillips said. “As we did, her blood pressure came into a much more normal range, and she began to feel more relaxed and comfortable.

“I have never forgotten that. I can’t do what I do alone. Many times on my way to a call, or during an extremely difficult emergency, I will say a quick prayer. I can’t change things on my own, but I can with His help. I have felt guided to look further into my patient’s situation and tried to give better care. I rely on my Heavenly Father’s help every time that pager goes off.”