- February 5, 2025
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Norma Bivens' journey to becoming a firefighter started around 1995 when she was still trying to figure out what kind of career she would like to pursue.
While Bivens may not have been one hundred percent sure what job path she would take, she was sure of one thing, and that was the fact that she knew she wanted to work in public service where she could help others. Then a friend suggested Bivens look into volunteering at a local fire department.
Bivens took her friend's advice and was soon a volunteer at the Bunnell Fire Department in Flagler County.
"I quickly realized that the fire side of this whole field was what interested me the most," Bivens said. "I took the basic courses and realized that this was a career choice fitting for me."
Bivens went on to take her firefighting courses at Daytona State College before applying for jobs in the area. In 1999 she was hired on with Port Orange Fire and Rescue where she continues to work today. She started out at the back of the engine before being promoted to a driver's position. She has now reached the rank of lieutenant, a position she has held for about two years and which puts her in charge of an engine company with three people assigned to a crew. And for Bivens, they're more than co-workers, they're family.
"Any time you go into the fire service you're joining another family," Bivens said. "You spend a third of your life with your co-workers. The work dynamic is interesting ... with this kind of career your life truly depends on your co-workers."
In addition to her work with the fire department, Bivens also teaches a minimum standards course to people who are also looking into this same career field. She even had the opportunity to witness one of her students work in the Port Orange Department alongside her after college. Bivens said this was a particularly rewarding part of her career as well.
Givens said her advice for anyone looking into the fire service field is that a major part of this career is about having a heart for serving the community and a drive to persevere through challenges.
"For me, when I first tried to decide what career I wanted, I knew in my heart there would be something where I could help others," Bivens said. "That's my passion — to be able to respond to emergencies and making the situation better when we arrive."
