Evan and Brianna Keener, February 2024

Evan
Organizations (and official title) and years
Dayton District Volunteer Fire Department, Assistant Chief – Member for 16 years
Indiana County 911 – Dispatcher – 5 years
Citizens Ambulance Service – EMT – 8 years

Why do you do what you do?

Growing up in a family of first responders I’ve always loved being part of the community and being able to help others. Many different members of my family have played different roles in the jobs I do, and I’ve always had a sense of responsibility to be my best at each side of emergency services that I’ve got myself into. Along the way, I’ve made a lot of really good friends and met some great people while training, responding to calls and during any other duties associated with the job.

What or who influenced you to get into public service?

My biggest influence would have to be my father. He was fire chief in Dayton when I was born and I still recall days that I would cry as he ran out the door when the sirens blew, but grew up to understand why rather quickly. I spent a lot of time as a kid around the station and couldn’t wait to join when I was 14. My great uncle was a charter member of the Dayton Fire Department in the 1940s and my grandfather was a long time member as well, so I have had a lot of old stories shared through the years. My cousin Luke has also been a big influence on my firefighting and continues to teach me things every day. My brother was the first of us to get into the medical side, which I never thought id do, but I went and became EMT certified about ten years ago, and have really enjoyed being part of that.

Being married to a first responder, how does that affect your family life?

It actually works out really well because Brianna comes from a fire/EMS family as well, so not only does she understand the time sacrifices it takes but so does her family. We both work shifts so a lot of times it works out better than some may imagine, but there are some long days in passing. However, we both really love what we do so its always worth it.

Which one of you is better at what you do?

Ill give her the upper hand on the medical side but I’m claiming the fire side 🙂

Brianna:
Organizations (and official title) and years
~Commodore Volunteer Fire Department; I was raised in since I was born due to my dad Mark Riva joining at the age 19 and still part of this day as chief. Officially I applied almost 8 years ago when I turned 16. In 2020, I worked my way to obtaining the Captains Position in Commodore VFD. I established our QRS (Quick Response Service) in September 2020, with the majority help coming from Evan. I still run QRS with Commodore anytime I am at my mom and dads or when I am in that area.
~Dayton District Volunteer Fire Department I joined roughly 2 years ago, after I got married to Evan and moved to Dayton. I also run QRS/fire with Dayton when I am home.
~EMT with Citizens’ Ambulance since September 2018. I am currently still part time and pick up shifts when I can.
~I currently work at Allegheny Health Network Critical Care Transport Ground Team as EMT.

Why do you do what you do?

~ I do this because no matter the outcome (good or bad) I learn something. Something new, unique, or something to do better! I also love knowing no matter if it is a fire incident or medical call, the people are calling and waiting for people like ourselves to show up and make things better; to be help to their bad day. That is such a rewarding feeling knowing that regardless in some way we are showing up for people that may be friends/family or complete strangers.

What or who influenced you to get into public service?

~ My parents have a huge impact why I am where I am today. My father like I said has been a volunteer firefighter at Commodore VFD since he was 19, so naturally when I was born I was raised right into it. I had seen how much determination and passion that is grown being part of the volunteer fire service. I seen the support from my mom giving to my dad that no matter what time or day the call came in she was there making sure my dad was able to go. Even though she never officially joined, she probably has just as much time spent at the fire station than most veterans. The amount of time she has given, and still gives for fundraisers, building upkeep, or helping with bringing rehab supplies to fires, is also a major reason why I am became so involved. I was right there along with her and my dad which drove me to the involvement and reason I am so passionate about the first responder world.

Being married to a first responder, how does that affect your family life?

~ To be completely honest, we couldn’t be luckier to have the families we do. Both my family and his family are so supportive and so understanding. No matter if it’s in the middle of Christmas dinner or at a family cookout, they are always standing behind us and just praying for our safety return home! Both our fathers have been involved for so long that when Evan and I joined they all knew the ropes and what is expected. We’re so lucky!

Which one of you is better at what you do?

~ This is tricky! It probably comes down to what the particular call is! LOL We each have our niches in firefighting and EMS! I think that’s why we work so well in fire and EMS both because we both have huge parts in completing the job successfully, and in turn gets us through without killing each other! LOL

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