OWL Celebrates Women’s History Month, Meet Sabrina Ricks

Sabrina B. Ricks: EMT, Ambulance Driver, and Administrative Officer – Learning to love others through volunteer service

Every volunteer has a reason for answering the call to serve their community. Dr. Sabrina Ricks was inspired by teachings from her local house of worship, which focused on the importance of loving others. What she found in service with OWL VFD fulfilled this desire and so much more.

In June 2011, when she applied for membership with OWL, she explained, “I was still trying to figure out how to like most people, nevertheless love all of them.” By July 2011, her journey began with training to become an EMT.

Responding to emergency calls allowed her to see the humanness of all people. “The job truly helped transform my thinking and helped me love all people. Realizing that we all experience the same struggles (medical, trauma, and loss) was eye-opening and softened my heart tremendously,” she shared.

Sabrina earned her EMT certification in 2012 and became an Ambulance Driver. OWL Life Member and former Department Chief Jim McAllister is a notable mentor for Sabrina. She explains, “When I applied for membership, I was met with medical issues that threatened to hinder my ability to join. Chief McAllister was my biggest advocate in helping me overcome the hurdle. Throughout my tenure and growth within the department, I have valued his support and encouragement.”

In 2013, two new classes were added when OWL restructured core training for new members. The timing coincided with Sabrina’s transition from an operational member to an administrative support member. Sabrina assisted with developing an orientation class that teaches new members station safety and a short history lesson about OWL.

To establish a welcoming work environment, OWL’s leadership team members created a harassment awareness class. Sabrina’s professional experience and doctorate degree in Organization and Management made her the ideal person to become the lead trainer of this class.

“One of my most memorable moments was receiving a scholarship to attend the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) Conference in Texas in 2018,” she shares. At the conference, she could proudly boast of OWL’s forward-thinking as she was the only attendee whose department required members to attend a harassment awareness course as part of core training. The experience led to her being offered a position with the National Workplace Violence and Bullying Taskforce.

Sabrina explains, “Working with the wonderful leaders at OWL draws greatness out of you that you may not have known you possessed. Working with individuals who sacrifice their time, energy, and efforts (with no pay) is admirable in many ways. It teaches selflessness, compassion, discipline, respect for fellow humans, love, and resilience. I can take all these valuable attributes into my personal and professional life. I appreciate the many opportunities OWL has afforded me over the past 13 years.”

Sabrina was elected as the department’s election officer in 2017. She has held this administrative leadership position for eight consecutive years. She also maintains her EMT certifications.