Student Spotlight: Sam Farren

• Major: Fire Protection Technology
• High School: Baldwinsville, class of 2018

Sam Farren always had an interest in firefighting. Every time she climbed into her stepfather's truck, she saw the blue light volunteer firefighters use. While recovering from a medical procedure she found herself riding past one of the Baldwinsville Fire Department's three stations every day. "I kept seeing the 'Baldwinsville Fire Department' sign. I was like, 'I really want to do that.!' As soon as I turned old enough I did it."

In 2013 she joined the Baldwinsville Fire Department as a junior member. Six years later she's in her first year as an interior member. "I just fell in love with the brotherhood, the camaraderie, and the technicality of the work. I love firefighting itself." Farren is also a student in OCC's Fire Protection Technology major. "They have great programs. It's going to help me become an officer or an instructor if I want to. I've had the opportunity to work with organizations like FASNY (Firemen's Association of the State of New York) and think about curriculum. It's been an awesome experience."

In October, Farren was inducted into the College's chapter of international honor society Phi Theta Kappa. "It meant a lot to me. I'm grateful someone is willing to invest in my future and believes in me. It was wonderful to show my family how hard I've been working."

Farren's professional inspiration is Rochelle "Rocky" Jones, one of the first women to crack the glass ceiling in the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) when it opened to women in 1978. She also became the FDNY's first female supervisor and its first battalion chief. Farren had the opportunity to meet and work with Jones at an all-female youth fire camp in Utica. "The fire service isn't gender exclusive any more. I've learned from her how far we've come. It's really about advocacy through yourself and you being the change. If every one of us takes the responsibility to be the change we want to see in the fire service, the fire service will evolve rapidly."

Farren will earn her Fire Protection Technology in May. She plans to transfer to the University of Maryland and earn bachelor's and master's degrees in Fire Protection Engineering. Her goal is to become a fire protection engineer.