Jade Bothell used to be afraid of fires.
Now, the East Vandergrift woman fights them.
Bothell, 20, joined the Oklahoma Volunteer Fire Company at 17 after a fire claimed the life of her 16-year-old cousin in 2017.
“When I was little, I was terrified of fires — house fires, everything — I would freak out,” Bothell said.
Her cousin was Levi Shellhammer of Shelocta.
“He and I were very, very close,” Bothell said. “He was always helping people.”
Bothell received the 2021 Firefighter Award by the Department of Pennsylvania Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States during a ceremony Tuesday at the VFW Post 566 in Vandergrift.
Post commander Carl Trusiak nominated her and said Bothell has drive and enthusiasm.
“While Jade has had only a few years training, she has taken every possible class to reach the maximum level she can achieve for her age. What she may lack in longevity, she more than makes up for with the potential she brings to the future of her department,” Trusiak said.
Bothell is a Kiski Area High School alumnus who grew up surrounded by adrenaline-rush activities like quad riding and racing.
She’s the youngest senior active member of the company.
Locker No. 21 at the fire station has Bothell’s name and two photos of her late cousin posted alongside 80 pounds of bunker gear and equipment she said she puts on in under 11⁄2 minutes.
She recalled her first time inside a burning home during a fire call in Vandergrift.
“It’s a life or death situation potentially. One of the skills I learned I needed to have for this job was keeping my mind clear and focused,” Bothell said.
Bothell works cleaning commercial buildings and volunteers about 13 hours weekly at the station.
“I feel like I’ve accomplished more in the fire department than I give myself credit for, especially being a female,” Bothell said.
Heather Bothell, Jade’s mom, is a volunteer with the same company.
She said she has to separate the mom factor from the fire factor while on calls.
“I have to compartmentalize it all. A part of you is, ‘Oh my gosh, my kid,’ and the other part knows you have a job to do. I’m so proud of her. When she was little she was petrified of fire for no reason. It was a phobia of hers, so she’s come so far,” Heather Bothell said.
Jade’s “Pap,” Jon Rearick of Vandergrift, said he’s not surprised she’s already receiving recognition.
“She’s straightforward, shows leadership and is a tough girl,” Rearick said.
Bothell is set to begin EMT training in April.
“Helping people is my thing,” Bothell said.
Stacey Schmiedel of Oklahoma Borough calls Jade her “fire daughter.”
Stacey and her son Ron and daughter Genevieve are all company members.
“She took my 14-year-old son in under her wing when he joined as a junior firefighter. She’s helped us with any questions we have,” Stacey Schmiedel said. “She has a heart of gold, and, in the fire service, we’re all family. She’s a genuine gem.”
