After extra than 20 a long time, Dawn Hinz is changing professions in pursuit of a unique passion.
SOUTH HAVEN, Mich. — Soon after additional than 20 decades, Dawn Hinz, the initially job woman firefighter in Van Buren County, is hanging up her helmet in pursuit of a distinct enthusiasm.
She hopes her journey will inspire other younger ladies to go right after their desires.
Hinz has served her final shift as a firefighter paramedic with the South Haven Fire Department this week.
“It was the most difficult determination of my lifetime to decide to hold up my hearth hat. It truly is been a component of my identity for you know, about two decades,” Hinz mentioned.
She states it was all through her senior year of higher university that she decided to develop into a firefighter.
“I preferred the difficult element and the multipurpose path, you have the, you know, brawny side of firefighting, and also the vital imagining facet of EMS,” Hinz said.
As the to start with full-time feminine firefighter in Van Buren County, she faced some worries.
“I was less than higher scrutiny to stay up to the endeavor. But time and time yet again, I was capable to prove to them that certainly, I’m below for you and I will not let you down,” Hinz said.
She was welcomed into a “brotherhood” that grew to become like a 2nd loved ones.
“There’s a big camaraderie to the hearth department and, you know, a large amount of comedy and joking so that part is you know, it is really a good deal of friendships.”
Now just after 7 yrs with the Covert Fire Office and 14 in South Haven, Hinz is transforming occupations.
She’s likely to develop into a wellness coach for Athletic Mentors out of Richland.
“From the time I was a child, I cherished health club course, and I want to share that enthusiasm with other folks and enable them make great nutritious alternatives for them so they can have a lengthy life on their own,” Hinz mentioned.
For girls who are looking at getting into what’s considered a male-dominated field, Dawn has this suggestions.
“Just know that you can do it. But you are likely to have to place in the perform, you know, you are heading to have to find out that business and be very proficient in it to be regarded as equal to your male counterpart. And then yeah, you can go a extensive way,” Hinz reported.
Hinz is a true trailblazer who has paved the way for other individuals and will continue on to make a big difference in the local community.
Dawn has passed the torch to the up coming generation. There are now two more total-time woman firefighters with the South Haven Fire Office.
Her son is also pursuing in her footsteps. He just graduated from the fire academy.
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