Saving Lives, Science, and Sisterhood

If a car has crashed, a home is in flames, or a family is otherwise having the worst day of their lives in Southwest Greensburg, Volunteer Firefighter Heather Sleasman is on her way.

Her firehouse sister Kara Shafron is coming, too. If there’s a fire, Shafron hopes to be in the firetruck’s “iron seat.” “If you sit in that seat, it’s your job to force the door open,” she said. “I’ve particularly liked that position.”

Sleasman, 32, and Shafron, 23, volunteer with Southwest Greensburg Fire Departmentfor similar reasons: A strong desire to help people. A love of excitement, challenges, and continuous
learning. The joy of having strong bonds with their firehouse brothers and sisters.

“I love putting on the cool gear and hopping on the truck. I love being there for people, and I love using the skills and techniques I’ve developed to help them to the best of your ability,” said
Sleasman. “I know I have a long road ahead of me until I’m up to a lot of our senior guys. But one of the other things I love about Southwest Greensburg is there’s such a deep well of knowledge to
draw from – all you have to do is ask and they will teach you.”

Shafron embraces her love of science to absorb all she can about fighting fires. “I like how you can tell the difference between different situations – and how to properly respond - just by
looking at the smoke or fire,” she said. She’s always been an empathetic person, and she uses that skill regularly on calls.

The two women took very different paths to the firehouse.

There’s No Place Like Home

Sleasman grew up admiring the volunteerism of her father, Raymond, who has been a firefighter with Collinsburg Volunteer Fire Company for 35 years. She became a junior firefighter at 16, but didn’t have time to become an interior firefighter before joining the Navy at 17.

The First Class Petty Officer and intelligence specialist was stationed around the world, but in 2020, it was time to come home – and time to achieve her goal to become a firefighter. She earned her certification three years ago with neighboring Hempfield Fire Department, where she continues to serve, and joined Southwest Greensburg more than a year ago.

Sleasman, who continues to serve in the Navy Reserves, lives with her fiance, Dani, and their five cats: Harley, Elsa, Kenway, Honeybear, and Klaus. She is the doting aunt to five children, enjoys hunting and fishing, and is taking sword fighting lessons.

Doubt Became Conviction

Shafron grew up in Ligonier. When she and her firefighting boyfriend, Kyle, decided to move to Southwest Greensburg, he wanted to join the local fire department. “He kind of convinced me to join,” Shafron said. That was three years ago. “I didn’t know if I would like it, but I ended up falling in love with it.”

In addition to volunteering, Shafron, a dog groomer, enjoys fishing and taking her canine companions, Sniper, Bullet, and Angel, to the dog park.

Sisterhood is Powerful

There are currently just four women who are active volunteers at Southwest Greensburg Fire Department, but Shafron and Sleasman hope more women will join the sister- and brotherhood of their firefighting family.

“The fire service is a lot more diverse than it used to be,” Shafron said. She met many other women from across the county while taking the fire essentials course. “I still talk to a lot of them,
which is really cool. It’s our own supportive community.”

No one can do every task required of a firefighter, she added, and that’s ok. “That’s what the team is for. You’re all working together and you all understand each other’s skills. No one is
going to ask you to do anything you can’t or don’t know how to do.”

Women have traits the team needs more of, Sleasman said. “Women are often really good with interpersonal skills. Those skills can shine through and help make a scared senior citizen or a child on scene more comfortable.”

Don’t Hesitate – Volunteer Today!

Shafron and Sleasman say their firehouse and the community need men and women, as well as teen boys and girls, to volunteer – the community needs their help. No experience is necessary. Free, comprehensive training is provided. Teens become junior firefighters who assist on calls and provide support at the station until they become full firefighters at 18.

For women and girls, joining the fire department is an empowering way to celebrate Women’s History Month. For any who have considered volunteering but hesitated, Sleasman has a message: “The only limitations she has are the ones that she puts on herself. The brotherhood of the firehouse welcomes sisters, too.”

To volunteer or learn more, visit swgreensburgfirefighter.org.