NVFC Member Spotlight: Cheryl Pouletsos

Name: Cheryl Pouletsos
Title: Former Captain
Department: Terryville Fire Department
Location: Port Jefferson Station, NY

Why are you an NVFC member?
I was looking for educational opportunities and came across your website. With a little bit of exploration, I got hooked.

What is your occupation?
Registered nurse

Why are you a fire service volunteer?
I started in the volunteer fire service in EMS. Eighteen years later, they went to paid EMS crews. Then I was assigned to a fire company and eventually transferred to fire police. I decided at that point to go back officially to firefighting and took the Firefighter 1 course with my daughter, who just joined. We have been fighting fires together for seven years. She is an interior firefighter and now I am exterior.

What year did you join the fire or emergency services?
1986

What are your memorable moments as a firefighter or EMS provider?
Flying in on initial attacks on wildfires in Yellowstone National Park, Zion National Park, and other locations throughout the United States.

What contributions have you (and your department) made in your community?
Our department sponsors a 38-mile bike race through our response area within the Big Belt Mountains to help raise funds to purchase equipment.

I also assist with other fundraising events to purchase rescue equipment for use in our community.

For one of our subdivisions in our response area, I was able to get it certified as a Firewise community.

What practices help you stay physically and mentally strong for your crew?
I try to walk some, but with hip and knee pain, it limits what I can do. But I try to stay active doing physical work around my house and the station.

Interested in serving your community? Find volunteer fire service opportunities at www.MakeMeAFirefighter.org.