Mom on a Mission: Meet SW Greensburg Volunteer Firefighter Gina Brant

Southwest Greensburg...Gianna Brant says the patience she’s learned from nearly six years as a Southwest Greensburg volunteer firefighter has really helped her in her latest role: Motherhood.

“As a firefighter, you never know what you’ll be dealing with, and what the person involved in the situation you’re responding to is dealing with. No matter what, you have to be patient and take care of them,” she said. “The same is true when you’re a mom.”

On Mother’s Day and every day, Southwest Greensburg Fire Department Chief Chief Bill Wright Jr.
appreciates what Brant and other moms bring to the firehouse. “Gianna’s observation that parenthood and first response both require patience is right on the mark,” he said. “The mom skill
of noticing everything – almost like they have eyes on the back of their heads – is also really helpful in an emergency situation where it’s essential to take in as much information as quickly as possible to assess what’s happening and the best way to help.”

Moms – and anyone else with a desire to help their neighbors in an emergency or non-emergency role – should visit swgreensburgfirefighter.org to learn more.

Brant, now 26, was 20 when she joined Southwest Greensburg and became a firefighter like her dad, who also serves with Southwest Greensburg, and brother. It was at the firehouse that she and firefighter Thomas Bartley met and fell in love. Eight months ago, they welcomed son Ryan – and so did the rest of their fire department family.

“I love being a Southwest Greensburg firefighter because we are all there to help each other and be there for each other, in all aspects of life,” said Brant, a Westmoreland County probation officer.

Not every fire department job is an emergency, and Brant took Ryan with her when she set up tables and gave out prizes at the recent Cash Bash event. “When I wasn’t wearing him in his carrier,
firefighters and their spouses were more than willing to hold him. He was just eating the whole time, and hanging out with everyone.”

Brant became a firefighter to save lives and property and motherhood isn’t stopping her – thanks to an assist from her own mom, Diana. “My parents live a block away from the firehouse, and if it’s a call where Thomas and I are both needed, we drop the baby off with his grandma.”

Southwest Greensburg Fire Department has immediate volunteer openings in a variety of emergency and non-emergency roles. Apply, ask questions, and learn more: swgreensburgfirefighter.org