The Heroes Next Door: The Human Side of Santa Clara's Firefighter

Photo Source: Sarah El Shenawy

At Fire Station 6 in the heart of Santa Clara, responding to emergency calls isn’t just about helping citizens in need.  It's about camaraderie and a shared commitment to service. 

They are important community members, educators, and advocates for safety. They visit schools to teach fire safety, lead community CPR workshops, and constantly learn and adopt new technologies to improve their service. As Santa Clara continues to grow, these firefighters prepare for new challenges with resilience and adaptability. 

Here, three firefighters share their unique journeys into the world of firefighting, showing the diverse paths that led them to their profession. 

Gail Carter: 

For Captain Gail Carter, the journey to firefighting was deeply personal and inspired by a tragic event. After attending the funeral of a friend’s father, a firefighter, as a middle schooler, Carter was moved by the overwhelming support from firefighters across the state. "It was something that had a big impact on me seeing like a sea of blue, from agencies all over the county and probably all over the state coming to support the family and honor him," Carter recalled. The solidarity and community impact he witnessed that day led him to pursue a career where he could offer the same support to others. 

Elizabeth Harkins: 

Elizabeth Harkins' transition from biotechnology to firefighting and paramedic was sparked by a volunteer experience at a summer camp for children with severe burn injuries. The resilience of the children and the dedication of the firefighters working at the camp inspired her to reevaluate her career. " It was just one of the most meaningful things I've done in my life, and it just made me switch careers," Harkins said. Her journey shows a dramatic career shift, driven by the desire to make a difference in people's lives every day. 

Chris Gladfelter: 

Chris Gladfelter brings a background of military discipline to his role. His experience managing onboard fires in submarines taught him crucial skills in high-pressure environments. After the military, while working in power plants where he again served as a makeshift firefighter, Gladfelter realized his true calling after interactions with full-time firefighters and seeing their impact on the community. "I started the career change at 37, everybody was like, you're crazy, you have a good job… but now I feel much better about what I do," Gladfelter said.