Janet’s life revolved around the fire department.

Because of her involvement in safety, President Paul Sterling appointed Janet as Vice Chairman of the MSFA Safety Committee in 2007. Janet worked to bring the Safety Committee to where it stands today. Additionally, by attending several classes on terrorism, she was able to bring that training back to many Maryland fire departments.

Janet was one of the first female Haz Mat Technicians in the Prince George’s County Fire Department and the only female technician who was a volunteer.

Janet worked as the Safety and Accountability Officer on many firegrounds until her cancer prevented it. Janet was well-respected for her work around the firehouse and on the fireground as the Safety Officer. Even though being one of the first female firefighters was hard and many made it clear that she was not wanted, Janet continued to break barriers to where women are accepted in the Fire/EMS service today, which at times was not an easy task and very rough going.

Janet was the first female Life Member of the Ocean City Volunteer Fire Company, an accomplishment of which she was very honored to have received.

All this was done as she worked in the community helping those in need. She was a real asset to the MSFA and her Fire Departments.