Students in Kromrey Middle School’s Ladies in Law Enforcement Club had the opportunity to meet two of Middleton Fire Department’s female firefighters and ask about their careers and more during the club’s May meeting.
Middleton Fire Department Lieutenant Christine Schultek and firefighter and office manager Adrienne Leslie joined club members to talk about their careers and training, share how their gear works, and answer the girls’ questions.
Students asked questions about how much firefighters’ gear weighs (70 pounds), how long their air tank lasts (45 to 60 minutes, depending on its size) and how fast they can put on their gear (two minutes). They also asked the firefighters how they became interested in firefighting.
Leslie said she explored other careers but realized “helping people on their worst day was my calling.”
Leslie and Schultek also answered the girls’ questions about the physical demands of their work and being brave enough to climb up the ladder when they’re responding to calls.
The Ladies in Law Enforcement Club is led by School Resource Officer Cassidy Ruchti, who brings together middle school girls once a month to learn about careers in law enforcement as well as female entrepreneurs and jobs in male-dominated professions.
This school year, the club has also met with the Madison Police Department’s Mounted Patrol Unit, Detective Aleesha Kozar from the Middleton Police Department as well as Occupational Therapist Amy Hall from Aspirus Divine Savior Wellness Center. They’ve also learned from Miggy’s Bakes owner Shelby Olstad and Middleton Emergency Medical Services paramedics.
Ruchti said in addition to learning about careers, the club is about building relationships. She said she has enjoyed watching girls in the club form friendships with those in other grades, who they don’t know outside of the club.
“Being the school resource officer, I interact with so many students and have a lot of amazing relationships, but my club girls hold a special place in my heart,” Ruchti said. “The extra time we spend together and getting to know each other a little better is so special to me.”
Ruchti said it’s important for girls to see themselves in law enforcement roles and other male-dominated fields.
“The club’s goals are to empower young ladies,” Ruchti said. “By no means do they need to know what they want to do with the rest of their lives, but I want them to know what different careers are out there. All my presenters are women, so letting the girls see another female in the career allows for them to picture themselves in that role a bit easier.”
Watch News 3 Channel 3000’s coverage of the firefighters’ visit.