Northeast Woman: Clarks Summit mom fights institutional sexism with fire

Times-Tribune (Scranton, PA)

Nov. 04--Burning down

stereotypes

Clarks Summit mom fights institutional sexism with fire

If you don't see Kate Quinn Miller on the sidelines coaching her daughters' sports teams, you might want to look for her behind the wheel of a fire truck.

The Clarks Summit mother of two fills her days not only with raising her girls and helping with their athletic endeavors, but also volunteering as a firefighter, serving her communities for more than two decades.

Miller, 38, grew up in Peckville, the youngest of four children born to Joe and Carole Quinn. Her father has served for 54 years as a volunteer firefighter in Blakely, and her mother is a retired nurse whose love for helping others Miller noticed.

Miller would accompany her dad to the firehouse as a kid and counted down the days until she was old enough to follow his lead. After she became old enough to join the ranks, she trained and studied, eventually earning Firefighter 1 certification -- making her the fifth woman in Pennsylvania to do so.

"I was very proud," Miller said. "I put a lot of time into training for that."

As she began her firefighting journey in the late '90s, though, Miller encountered some blowback from men who didn't think women belonged in the fire service. That made it tough, she said, but she pushed onward, and 22 years later, she continues to serve -- now with Clarks Summit's company, where her husband, Jay, is chief.

The couple met in April 2000 when he volunteered with Clarks Summit and she with Blakely. Dating and marriage eventually followed, and today they are parents to two girls, Carly and Tori, the former of whom is excited about joining her parents in the company in about a year and a half when she's of-age.

"I definitely understand (why) my mom was so terrified about (me joining)," Miller quipped.

While she thought about making firefighting a career, Miller instead pursued work in insurance and now is employed with Farmers Insurance through Fenton Insurance Agency LLC in Clarks Summit. She works from home and heads to the fire station when calls come in.

"I generally drive (the fire truck)," said Miller, who often operates the water pump, too. "I can still go into the fire if we need, (but) especially during the day, there's hardly any other drivers."

She enjoys protecting people and also has turned into a role model, shining a light on her work by participating in community activities, such as those for National Fire Prevention Week.

"I thought it was nice for the girls to see that girls can do this," Miller said.

It can be a tough job sometimes, with firefighters responding to calls that can end in destruction or even death.

"I don't think it's easy for any of us," Miller said. "We lean on each other if we need to talk things out. Certain things, they stick with you. ... When you have a good day on a call where you can save someone, that's a good moment. Sometimes you might not save property, but you can save lives."

Firefighting requires not just dedicating time to the calls that can come in at all hours, but also undergoing training and earning state certifications. Many volunteer fire companies have struggled in recent years to staff their ranks, and Miller encourages community members to give what they can, whether it be riding on the fire truck or helping behind the scenes, such as in fundraising.

"I tell people if they could come down for one call a month, anything, any little bit of time that you can give us is great for us," she said.

Outside work and the fire house, Miller serves as chairwoman of the newly restructured leadership team at Clarks Summit United Methodist Church.

"We're very involved with our church and anything that goes on there," she said.

She also supports her daughters' athletic adventures as a softball coach and assistant basketball coach for their rec leagues. Miller tries to make the learning part as fun as possible and build the girls' confidence, she said, and she encourages them to give 100 percent and do their best.

"I hope that I can be a good enough role model for my two girls that they (become) confident and succeed in the future," Miller said.

Contact the writer: [email protected]; 570-348-9100 x5107; @cheaneywest on Twitter

Meet Kate Quinn Miller

At home: A Peckville native, she is the daughter of Joe and Carole Quinn. She lives in Clarks Summit with her husband, Jay, and daughters, Carly and Tori.

At work: Works for Farmers Insurance through Fenton Insurance Agency LLC, Clarks Summit

Inspirations:

Her parents

Aspirations: To be a good enough role model for her daughters so they become confident and succeed in the future, and to visit Ireland

Diversions: Family days with her husband and daughters, Notre Dame football and traveling to new places

Aversions: Negative people, gossip and drama

Quote: "Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, wine in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming, 'Woo-hoo, what a ride!'" -- Adapted from Hunter S. Thompson

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