Challenging the Norms. Doing the Work. And Doing It Well. Q & A

Q&A with Sarah Roth, Redding Fire, and Jennifer Thomas, JL Thomas Construction…

Redding Fire Department Fire Prevention Specialist Sarah Roth and Heavy Equipment Operator Jennifer Thomas of JL Thomas Construction spoke with Enjoy about the rewards and challenges of working in occupations historically pursued by men. 

Their jobs require versatility–physical strength, dexterity, problem-solving, technical knowledge and soft skills (like communication) essential to effective teamwork. Mistakes can result in serious injury or death, so stress management is crucial. They share what inspired them to pursue their careers, how they navigate challenges, the most surprising thing they have learned about the work they do, and the divergent paths they took to prepare for the work they love.  

What influenced your decision to pursue your occupation and how long have you been engaged in it?
Sarah:  I was inspired by the camaraderie, the challenging and meaningful work and the opportunity to serve my community. I was also motivated by my desire to be a strong role model for my daughter. I began my fire service journey nine years ago.

Jennifer:  I grew up in the construction industry and have always enjoyed being outdoors. I have been involved in this work for over 25 years.

Was getting your first job easy or somewhat difficult? Why?
Sarah: Getting my first job wasn’t overly difficult, but the fire service quickly teaches you that every municipality, department and station is different. Success depends on adaptability, humility and respect for each team’s culture.

Jennifer:  It was easy. I worked for my family building logging roads, where I was able to familiarize myself with equipment. During that time, I learned two things: I liked running equipment and I wasn’t half bad at it.

What kind of technology and/or equipment do you use daily?
Sarah: I primarily use a computer for internal and interagency communication, along with community risk assessment tools and digital tracking dashboards.

Jennifer:  It depends on the job, but usually an excavator and a loader. I have plans I have to follow for all jobs, so I might need a basic shovel, wrenches, laser level and tape measure. 

What does a typical workday look like?
Sarah: No two days are the same. My work ranges from office meetings and event planning to field inspections and delivering fire and life safety education at schools, businesses and community groups. I also train volunteers, participate in disaster drills and support community outreach events.

Jennifer:  There is no typical workday but all days start somewhat the same. I need to check my equipment, make sure all the fluids are full, and start the machine to let it warm up for the day. Then I dig a trench for the utilities I need to install, install them and then backfill. 

What challenges do you encounter and how do you overcome them? 
Sarah: As a single-position role serving a city of over 90,000, balancing priorities can be challenging. I manage this by prioritizing effectively, setting realistic expectations and focusing on delivering quality work with a positive mindset.

Jennifer:  Sometimes there are unmarked utilities and I must figure out how to get the utilities I’m installing around them. 

What are your career goals in this industry, or have you already achieved them?
Sarah: I plan to continue advancing in fire prevention, with the long-term goal of becoming a fire marshal before retirement.

Jennifer:  I have achieved my goals in the industry. I own my own machinery and am self-employed. While I can’t remember if it was my goal in the beginning, it just ended up this way.

What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about working in your industry? 
Sarah: The passion for the fire service never really leaves you. The experiences—both hard and rewarding—shape who you are and how you approach everything, on and off the job.

Jennifer:  The people I worked with when I was young were always willing to lend a helping hand. There has been a shift with the young people I work with now, [mainly] an unwillingness to jump in and help. This isn’t true for everyone; I work with some great guys, but the shift is noticeable.

What do you wish someone would ask you about your job?
Sarah: I wish more people asked about the future of the fire service. Beyond emergency response, I believe our greatest growth lies in expanding public education, prevention and building strong volunteer programs.

Jennifer:  I don’t have any questions I wish someone would ask me but I believe the saying, “If you do something you love, you won’t work a day in your life” rings true for my job.•

Article Written by:
Claudia Mosby is a Redding-based freelance writer and mixed media artist in Shasta County.