Editor's note: This story first appeared in Community News.
For the first time in its history, the Lone Oak Volunteer Fire Department in Sequatchie County, Tenn., has a female chief.
Chief Dana Clift, one of a handful of female volunteer fire chiefs in the state, took over at Lone Oak in September after 20 years in fire service at Waldens Ridge Emergency Service.
"I wanted to give back to the community and help those in need," Clift said of her decision to get into volunteer fire service. She's on call 24/7 for her full-time job in the medical field, so she's used to responding to calls at any time of day or night, she added.
"It's a rewarding feeling each call you go on. I also enjoy being able to extend my knowledge and training to others," she said.
While Clift is the department's first female chief, the station is far from an all-male environment. Of the eight members in the department when she started, three were female - the only three certified firefighters.
After Clift's appointment, in November the department grew to a dozen members with the addition of four emergency medical responders who can provide first aid, evaluate and stabilize patients, control blood loss and perform other tasks volunteer firefighters can't.
This is the first time the department has had an emergency medical response program, and Lone Oak is the only volunteer fire department in Sequatchie County with emergency medical responders. Previously, all medical calls were served by Puckett EMS in Dunlap, Tenn., Clift said, with an average response time of 15-20 minutes. Lone Oak can reach emergencies on the mountain more quickly - in about 5-8 minutes. In a medical emergency, even seconds can save lives.
The all-volunteer fire department relies on community donations as well as volunteers, and they're always looking for more, Clift said. Firefighters and EMR members train at the station Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m.
"It's a great way to get yourself involved and meet people in the community," said John Kowalski, who joined the department after moving here from Michigan shortly after the fires in Gatlinburg and on Signal Mountain in November 2016. "This is my home, and I want to do what I can to protect it."
Contact staff writer Emily Crisman at ecrisman@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6508.