Elizabeth Finnegan is a firefighter / EMT / EMD with Columbus Division of Fire (Ohio); starting in 2017. She was inspired to get into public service because she had the unfortunate situation of experiencing a house fire as a child. There was a female fire investigator on scene and she told her Mom that one day she wanted to be just like the investigator.
Her biggest professional influence would be Firefighter Sam Towns. He has been a member of the CFD since 1985. She looks to him for guidance to be a better firefighter and person. He has taught her so many life lessons she now calls him her “Fire Dad.”
Since 2019, Elizabeth has competed at USPFC in track and field events including long and triple jumps, 100m, 200m and relays. She is inspired by sports greats Serena Williams and Shaquille O’Neil. “Williams is such a great influence in her field and for girls and women around the world. O’Neil has his hands in so many different things. He maximizes his celebrity athlete status to do so many great things for the communities he serves. He continues to educate himself and is not afraid to try new things.”
Her favorite quote is “Gold medals aren’t really made of gold. They’re made of sweat, determination, and a hard-to-find alloy called guts.” -Dan Gable
Elizabeth thinks this is true for all the “gold medals” of life.
Thank you, Elizabeth, for being a first responder, an USPFC athlete and an everyday hero!
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Thank you for highlighting Elizabeth’s journey – truly inspiring! Her dedication to public service and athletic excellence, along with the mentorship she values, is a powerful reminder of the impact one person can have.