NAS Jax firefighter chasing big dreams

Barry served in the Navy for seven years as a hull technician/nuclear welder and began to sharpen her firefighting skills by accepting all possible shipboard damage control positions available at her first duty station on board USS Simon Lake (AS 33) homeported LaMaddalena, Italy.

Next, she transferred to Naval Station San Diego, where in her spare time, she began working on firefighting courses at the Miramar College of Fire Science. After nearly completing her courses, she was called on deployment.

Upon her return, she was due to get out of the military and decided to attend the University of California, Berkeley where she began her studies in psychology.

"My parents had relocated to Jacksonville and asked me to consider joining them if they paid for my college education," explained Barry. "I wasn't too keen on it, but something in my gut told me to go."

As luck would have it, Barry needed no financial aid from her parents since she was offered a full-ride athletic scholarship for tennis to the University of North Florida.

"I tried out for the team and before I knew it, I had my college education paid for," she added.

NAS Jax firefighters raise the ladder and engage the nozzle for testing purposes. The nozzle attached to the ladder has the capabilty to throw 1,000 gallons of water per minute (gpm) onto a fire and the pump that supplies the nozzle can pump up to 2,000 gpm giving the firefighters the option to attach additional water supply lines if needed.

Her life plans were easily falling into place and she resumed working toward her degree in psychology.

"Soon after, one of things that changed my life forever was that my mother was diagnosed with cancer and died," recalled Barry. "She found out she was sick and was gone 30 days later. It was the hardest thing I have ever been through."

To Barry's mother, education was always the number one priority that she had instilled into her children.

"My gift to her was finishing my degree in psychology and from the core of who I am, I have always known that I wanted to help people. I didn't know how and in what capacity, but I knew I wanted to give back," said Barry.

While completing her degree and playing tennis, she also managed to hold a job as a drug and alcohol abuse counselor for adolescents. Shortly after, she moved on to the Duval County Jail as an adult inmate counselor.

"Everything that I had believed in up until the time that my mother passed away had everything to do with her. It's such a life-changing experience to lose someone that is the base of your life. It made me realize how short life is," said Barry. "I wasn't incredibly satisfied with what I was doing even though I knew that I was giving back to the community. I realized that I wanted to follow my dreams. So, one day I sat down and asked myself what my biggest dreams were. Then, I told myself to chase them," she added.

That's when NAS Jacksonville Fire Chief Randy Hall got a knock on his door.

"Two years ago, I walked into Chief Hall's office with my resume and I basically didn't stop bothering the man until I walked into the station as a firefighter," said Barry smiling from ear to ear.

"When it comes to chasing your dreams, sometimes you need someone to believe in you and Chief Hall was that someone for me. He never gave up on getting me here. I think he saw my passion for the job and felt that this is where I belonged," explained Barry. "He believed in me and now it's my turn to show him and the rest of the guys that I am going to be the best firefighter I can be."

NAS Jax Firefighter Tracy Tomes stands watch in the tower at fire house located across the airfield.

Barry chose to work as a federal firefighter for certain reasons. Even though the options to work at the city level were there for her, she felt that serving the military again was her calling.

"I spent many years in the military and with what's going on in the world today, I believe it's my duty to give back to the service," explained Barry. "We protect those who defend our freedom. That is our station motto and you can't help but feel good about that."

Things around the station haven't changed. The crews are continuously training and are always looking out for one another.

"It has everything to do with the individual. It's not whether you are a male or a female, it's about doing your job. So far, Barry has shown me that she can get the job done," said Firefighter Mario Robinson, who is assigned to the same crew as Barry. "She can hold her own and she's doing great here."

Barry is also a player for the Women's Professional Football League and plays as a cornerback for the full-tackle Jacksonville Dixie Blues. The team holds the title of last year's Super Bowl champions. She also plays softball for a city league sponsored by the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, runs marathons to stay fit and in the spare time that she does have, she spends volunteering in the community.

Firefighter Robbie Barfield answers questions and shows off Engine #2 for the children at the NAS jax Youth Activities Center during Fire Prevention Week Oct. 12. File photo

"I believe that it is important to give back to the community. It's my way of humbly showing gratitude for the amazing miracles that are happening in my life," noted Barry.

Barry isn't stopping at being the only female firefighter to walk the halls of the station. She has bigger dreams to chase as well.

"Life is about dreaming bigger dreams and chasing them. I am under the best tutelage that the federal government has to offer and I know that I am going to do great things here. One day, I will be the first female fire chief of NAS Jax," she said confidently.