Flanked by red firetrucks Belle Johannsen worked hard and was voted onto Toledo’s fire department in early December. PHOTO BY JONATHAN MEYER

MARSHALLTOWN – Climbing ladders, extricating accident victims from vehicles, and quelling fires aren’t usually at the top of a high school student’s bucket list. For STC Senior Isabelle ‘Belle’ Johannsen, these things have become expected parts of her life. Inspired by her family, a friend, and a bit of the hot tv show “Chicago Fire,” Johannsen looks to pursue a career in fire services.

Belle’s father Jake was a volunteer firefighter for many years with several family ties across the county also involved. From a young age, Johannsen was around the department and saw the impact these essential services had on those in her community.

With her exposure and rising interest levels, Johannsen went on a job shadow with Curt Raue, a longtime member of Toledo’s fire department and a captain with Marshalltown Fire Department.

During her day spent with the MFD, Johannsen experienced the life of a true firefighter.

“I showed up in the morning and Curt was the captain on shift that day. He was working with Jeremy Wierman who was on Toledo’s fire department here, so I knew both of them. I got to watch them do inspections. It was mostly medical calls but I watched some drills too. I think that was a turning point when I decided this is what I want to do,” she said.

Standing proudly outside the fire station her dad and many other family friends have served at Belle Johannsen is honored to serve on Toledo’s fire department. PHOTO BY JONATHAN MEYER

Her biggest observation was the family aspect in the profession.

“Watching how they could just have a chill moment and sit around with another family almost, and then when the bells go off it’s serious and you have to stay on task,” she said.

What helped set the job shadow was Johannsen’s participation in Toledo’s Jr Firefighters program. Hearing about the opportunity through friend Alex Castanon, who also has an interest in emergency services, opened another door for Johannsen.

“It’s with the department that my dad was on, so I’ll just do it and see if I like it or not,” she said. “I would go to meetings and get to train with the guys. It’s a split between the business meetings and the fun stuff.”

With the aforementioned training, the Jr. Firefighters got to participate in a few events.

Johannsen shows off her last night which has adorned many coats before hers. Continuing her family’s legacy of service. PHOTO BY JONATHAN MEYER

“My first ever actual training they went out to Sand Hill and they did a car extrication, so they used the jaws and spreaders on the old junk cars out there. Us juniors got to do some cribbing,” Johannsen said.

Another training experience was getting to see ladder drills at the sight of the former paper mill. Bringing out the ladder truck and seeing the firefighters in action provided certainty to Belle’s decision.

Entering her senior year, Johannsen’s future became quite apparent with all her acquired experiences and family firmly in her corner. By December, she was accepted into DMACC’s Fire Science program at their Ankeny Campus.

Additionally, she completed coursework and training enough to officially be a volunteer firefighter with Toledo’s department. With that responsibility as a student still, she carries a pager with her and in the event of a fire she is permitted to leave the school in order to respond and provide her assistance.

STC high school counselor Dan Lopez provided encouraging words regarding Belle and her path forward.

“I am extremely proud of her…she has been extremely motivated in pursuing this career path,” he said. “We can all learn from Belle’s ability to chase her dreams with excellent follow-through!”

With her newfound position in the department, things have come full circle. Adorned with the number 23 on her helmet and coat just the same as her Dad did before her.

In an interview with the News Chronicle, Raue offered some of the traits he believes firefighters possess — including adventure, resiliency, and empathy — all traits he’s seen from Belle.

The veteran firefighter also shared some of his personal connection to the Johannsen family.

“I’ve been on Toledo’s Fire Department for almost 19 years in the spring. Her dad was on there for quite a while too and we got to be good friends. Hanging out with her dad and family I basically got to see her grow up from being a little kid,” Raue said. “It’s been interesting for me the last few years to see her getting an interest in this and having her say she wanted to spend a day with me at work was really kind of cool. She plays with my kids and babysits my kids, it’s fulfilling. She has that adventurous personality and an empathetic mindset. She’s just a really nice person that treats people right. She’s trying to make a positive impact. I think she’d be a good fit for this business.”

Both Johannsen and Raue encouraged people to get involved in the many different opportunities in emergency service.

With a proud family and community, Belle Johannsen looks to the future and is ready to put out all fires in front of her.