October 13, 1979

Persistence Pays

       Persistence Pays.  And speaking of firefighters-if persistence is a important attribute in fire department personnel, then the White River Township Fire Department has a real winner in their newest member. The department recently added its first full-time female firefighter to the roster. You might recognize her name. Pat McDaniel had been attempting to get herself on as a full-time firefighter for the past five years. Once some three years ago she got on as a probationary officer, but she never got any further. A majority of the membership nixed her as a full-time member after her year was up. Firefighters at White River are placed on a one-year probationary period then reviewed at the end of that year by fellow firefighters. The vote is by secret ballot. But the determined Mrs. McDaniel had firefighting in her blood. The daughter of a fireman who founded and was first chief of the Castleton Fire Department near Indianapolis, she grew up in the aura of fire trucks and plectrons. Her brother is also a fireman, as is her husband, Dave. Mrs. McDaniel continued her firefighting interests as a member if the Tri-County Firefighters Association even after her rejection. A year ago, she put in for another probationary period at White River-and this time her determination paid off.  (Reprinted with permission from the Daily Journal)
   
 

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