Turning down the heat

Like most students who have a little downtime, Kelli Jo Gatewood likes to hit the bars, catch up on sleep and relax in front of the TV with her boyfriend.\nShe also likes to strap on 70 pounds of gear, rush into blazing buildings and save lives. \nGatewood volunteers as a firefighter and emergency medical technician at the Bloomington Township Fire Department. She juggles classes, work and a social life in order to make time for emergency work.\nA senior fitness specialist major, Gatewood is on staff at both the Bloomington Township Fire Department and the German Township Volunteer Fire Department near her hometown of Columbus, Ind. She has been an EMT for three years and a firefighter for two. As an EMT, she goes on medical calls to do direct patient care. As a firefighter, she responds to car accidents, hazardous materials, carbon monoxide leaks and structure fires. Putting out fires or responding to an accident can take hours and is extremely taxing on the body. It is hard to move and breathe in a firefighter's uniform, and in the summer she combats dehydration from sweating so much, Gatewood said. Her 70 pounds of gear, an air pack and a heavy tool can weigh even more than she does. \nEven in "perfect" conditions, nothing will ever do what one would think it would do, Gatewood observed. Even on a training building when the department is burning an old structure for practice, there is always risk. \nBut Gatewood said danger is not the worst part of the job. The time demand is. \n"You get kind of addicted to it and you want to go on every run but you can end up letting others down," she said. "It's really hard, firefighting and being a student trying to have a life. A lot gets sacrificed."\nThe majority of time that gets cut is with her friends and boyfriend. While she said they do not fully understand why she puts so much on the line, they realize that she is passionate about her work.\nYet Gatewood said the benefits far outweigh the costs. \n"You really gain perspective from this kind of work," she said. "My job as a waitress and making that extra ten dollars isn't as important as helping someone."\nThe work not only changes the life of the victim but the rescuer as well. She said one quickly finds out how unstable the world is and how fragile life is. \nBrian Bartlett, a senior public policy major and fellow volunteer, said the job gave him a new view on tragedy and on life.\nBartlett sees his job as an adventure and said the volunteers get something out of the college experience most students miss. It adds unpredictability and excitement into his life.\nHe said he does not struggle with finding a balance between firefighting and classes, because firefighting is his hobby and he responds when he can. If he is taking an exam, he does not leave. \nThe fire department is also his extended family. His best friend and roommate serve with him, and at least 10 IU students are on staff.\nBloomington Township Fire Department Capt. Matt Bright said at least 25 percent of the station's roster is made up of college students. Often, the IU volunteers have served in their hometowns and want to continue their work in Bloomington. \nThe department does all it can to take care of the volunteers, Bright said. It pays for initial training, EMT certification, and all of the gear is furnished. \nBright said the student volunteers are unique and really care about the community. \n"I've lived here all my life so I see the college students come to town and often times just take what they need," he said. "They give a lot back to the community and I think that's really cool." \nAccording to the online application, the department requires a minimum commitment of one year of service. Applicants must complete the State of Indiana Basic Firefighter curriculum and be certified. They must also complete 24 hours of training before participating in any emergency \nfunction or scene. \nStudents interested in volunteering at the Bloomington Township Fire Department can access the Web site and application at www.btfire.org.