There’s one thing you need to understand about Cranberry volunteer firefighter Jocelyn Demme: It’s that she does NOT consider herself to be hearing impaired. Nor does she identify as being hard of hearing. She is deaf. She can’t hear you, and that, in turn, has limited her own ability to speak.
Deafness from birth has had a major impact on her life. But it hasn’t done a thing to dampen the petite, Township native’s dreams of becoming a firefighter – dreams which are currently being fulfilled by Cranberry’s Volunteer Fire Company.
It is a dream fueled by the experience of her cousin, who is currently Chief of the Adams Area Fire District. But it’s one that was initially inspired by her sister’s best friend – a man who is also deaf but nevertheless managed to become a firefighter in Yukon, a small town near New Stanton. Speaking through an interpreter, here’s how Jocelyn saw it: “It was like: I want to do that too! I became very excited and very motivated to make that dream come true for myself.”
Of course, dreaming alone isn’t enough to become a firefighter; a significant amount of training is also required. So, starting last year and with the help of an interpreter, Jocelyn completed three of the four modules in the Essentials of Firefighting curriculum at Butler County Community College. Arrangements for the remaining module are currently under review with the College. Until then, her assignments with the Fire Company Brigade are limited to vehicle wrecks and exterior support for structure fires. Yet even with a certificate, deafness could still restrict her interior work. But not necessarily.
“I’d like to learn more so that I can be more involved,” she said. “I would like to eventually learn to go into a burning building. But right now, I want to put in the work and learn as much as possible. It really is my desire to stay in the fire department. I take this very seriously.”
Still, in the rush to answer urgent 9-1-1 calls, things can get bewildering. “People talk so fast because of the situation, I can get very confused,” she said. It would be helpful if some of other firefighters knew basic sign language, she explained. But there hasn’t been enough time.”
That may be changing, according to Fire Company President Ed Hestin. “Jocelyn was kind enough to participate in a video of her doing some basic signs; it will be ready soon,” he said. “Also, many of our members have downloaded apps which have helped us learn certain basic signs. We have dry erase boards on the trucks that enable us to write messages back and forth. And we’re considering picture cards we could show Jocelyn when we need her to get something from the truck compartments. It’s just going to take a little time.”
Jocelyn’s search for a full-time day job is also taking time. But while firefighting is her lifelong ambition, being outdoors is her greatest love. “My favorite thing is to do wakeboarding. I love to snowboard. And I love being around a Jet Ski,” she said. “I also love being on a dirt bike and being on our boat. Growing up, we always went to camp at East Brady. That’s my favorite place in the world. I enjoy fishing and I like to hunt for deer. I have so much fun being outside. I hate staying at home, being stuck indoors. I love being outside, to get fresh air and just to be outdoors.”
This post was originally published by Cranberry Today Summer 2018 – page 11..