黑料福利社

COWICHE聽鈥斅犅燣iliana Causor walks through the with the confidence of a veteran. She has volunteered for the department since 2014聽and was recently promoted to deputy chief.

Causor grew up around here, graduating from Highland High School in 2007. Many know of her prowess in soccer as a forward. Causor grew up playing soccer, loved playing soccer, always wanted to play soccer.

Firefighting, not so much. She hadn't even thought about it until a friend at the fire department said Highland needed volunteers and suggested she check into it. That suggestion changed Causor's life.

In May, Causor received the聽EMS Responder of the Year award from聽the . She accepted the award聽during the organization's 103rd annual fire conference in Wenatchee.

Causor never imagined she'd receive a state award. "This award goes to me and all the firefighters. I feel like this award goes to our department," she said.

Those awards recognized Causor and five others "for their dedication, leadership, professionalism and commitment to their communities," according to a news release from the association. It provides information, education, benefits and representation to the volunteer fire service in the state, its website notes.

Derek Richert of Kittitas County Fire District 1 in Thorp received the Officer of the Year award. Other recipients were from Skagit County, South Kitsap Fire & Rescue and East County Fire & Rescue.

"These individuals and organizations represent the very best of Washington鈥檚 fire service. Their dedication and service help keep our communities safe every day," the news release said.

Serving her community

Causor, who is 37, was promoted to deputy chief on June 1. She is the first woman in that role at Highland. It's a聽part-time paid position.

"We are beyond proud to have her as our (deputy chief). She has more than earned it," a June 16 fire department social media post said. "We know she will continue to make this department and this community proud!"

She decided to pursue the opportunity after recent administrative changes in the department. Officials are still seeking a chief. "It's hard to say what's next, only that we need to push forward," Causor said. "With time, we'll find that right chief."

The聽Highland Fire Department is part of聽Yakima County Fire Protection District 1 and covers聽42 square miles. That includes Cowiche and Tieton, along with 10 miles of land outside the district, Causor said.聽

The fire station housing Highland's equipment and trucks, including its glossy new crimson and gray engine, is also District 1's headquarters. Highland has about 20 volunteers聽鈥� people with jobs, families and other commitments.聽

They are neighbors and friends who respond at all hours to fires, medical calls and other emergencies. Volunteers also give their time for drills, for learning, for certification and recertification and community events.

"I'm very fortunate that I work from home. I do get hours of flexibility," said Causor, who is a field energy specialist for Evergreen Consulting Group. Evergreen is a contractor for Pacific Power.

Volunteer firefighters are appreciated, and needed more than ever.聽

"Normally we're averaging one call a day this time of year," Causor said. As June 23, they were at 27 calls for the month.

Highland's first responsibility is to those in its coverage area, but the department also has mutual aid agreements with other departments. For example,聽West Valley and Naches are alerted about any fires Highland gets, she said.

"When Naches gets a fire, we get toned out and Gleed gets toned out," she said. "West Valley has been a huge help to us, and Naches. We enjoy working with everybody and we're so glad we have good relationships."

State award

Like many others, Causor volunteers because she loves and wants to serve her community. She was born in Yakima and grew up in the 黑料福利社. Her dad has worked for the Zirkle Fruit Co. for more than 30 years, she said.

Growing up also included working on the ranch owned by her dad and mom, Martin and Sara. Causor has cared for animals from a young age and she's ridden horses for years.

Her love of soccer didn't extend to the classroom.聽"I hated school," said Causor, who wanted to go into the military.

Causor worked in landscaping in Nantucket, Mass., in her early to mid-20s after a friend moved out there to play soccer, she said.

After two years on the East Coast, Causor moved back to the Valley. That's when her friend at the fire department encouraged her to volunteer. Sam Glanzer was the chief then, and once Glanzer met a potential volunteer, "he was that hook," Causor said. "He kept checking on me."

Once she signed on, as expected, everything was new. But "once I got here, I never left," Causor said.聽

She's always worked in male-dominated trades, Causor said, and has sought to be physically strong and ready to stand up for herself. But some women interested in volunteering may be intimidated. They shouldn't be, she said.

"The good thing about the fire department is you feel welcome," Causor said. Worried you're not strong enough, physically? "We'll help you get stronger," she added.

Causor is one of four female volunteers at Highland. One wants to respond to medical calls only, and that works. "Seventy percent of our calls are EMS," Causor noted.

"If they're willing to do that while we're out fighting fires, we accommodate that," she said. "Three of us do fire and EMS calls."

"We've got males who do just EMS. If you really want to help, there is a way to help in every department. ... If you want to join and don't want to actually fight fires, talk to your local department and see what they have for you. There's always something for you to help out in."

It can be tough at times. "I've missed a lot. I've had to leave on my own birthday," she said. "I have firefighters who've done this for 30 years."

Her large family is supportive, and that helps. Causor also appreciates her mentors, including Naches Fire Chief Alan Baird, Selah Fire Chief Jim Lange and Jon Hall, who was deputy fire chief at Highland when she began volunteering.

They've made a difference for her, along with others. Despite its challenges, her work for Highland is important, and rewarding.

"This type of volunteering is another kind. We see the worst of the worst day of their life," she said. "And then you see someone at the store and they say, 'Thank you for coming to my house.'"