Volunteer Spotlight: Joyce Shry

Name: Joyce Shry
Title: Volunteer Recruiter
Department Name: Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue
Location: Frederick, MD

Why are you an NVFC member?
As a volunteer myself, I find you have many useful topics to share within my department. In addition, from my position dealing with volunteers it’s a good tool for use for learning, sharing information, and a local contact if needed. Your updates are amazing and some of the seminars I’ve attended have great information to share with the 26 other corporations within my county.

What is your occupation?
Volunteer Recruiter

Why are you a volunteer firefighter, EMT, or rescue provider?
I am a volunteer EMT because I love helping those in need and giving back to my community. I have always volunteered my entire life, but volunteering for the EMS service is very different. It allows me to have a good medical background and to provide support wherever needed. It gave me confidence in myself and created the need to continue more medical education.

What year did you join the fire or emergency services?
2002

What are your memorable moments as a firefighter or EMS provider?
I have found I bond very well with the elderly and disabled. I have been able to convince them to get medically treated when others have not been able too. It takes a special education to understand their needs in their terms, and PATIENCE is very much needed. Most of the time these are the folks who have little interaction with others and yet have the most to share if given the proper situation.

My most memorable situation was “dancing” a very elderly, highly-titled doctor at Christmas to the ambulance for medical attention. There were eight other members there and no one else was able to get him to cooperate. He was a real challenge but I will always remember him………I had to hold his hand all the way to the hospital. I promised him I would and I did.

What contributions have you (and your department) made in your community?
I now work with all of Frederick County Fire and Rescue. I attend many community events educating our citizens about who we are and what we do. It’s amazing how uneducated from our service perspective most citizens are. We teach safety and health, and solicit for volunteers to give back to our community. I also teach a six-week class to the new members coming into the service about our service. I am their advisor, mentor, and confidant in some cases.

Interested in serving your community? Find volunteer fire service opportunities at www.MakeMeAFirefighter.org.