Fighting Fire and Igniting our Hearts

Back in February, we partnered with Reid Myers at Silicon Valley Reads to bring author Clare Frank to the clubhouse. I picked up the book ahead of time to make sure I was prepared and just one chapter in I couldn’t wait to meet her. Burnt: A Memoir of Fighting Fire tells the winding story of a determined woman’s career in and out of Cal Fire, eventually rising in the ranks to be California’s first and only female chief of fire protection. If you don’t own it yet, you can order it now!

On that bright Saturday morning, it was truly an honor to serve Clare Frank a cup of black coffee (a nod to the book), though the strength of the brew probably mirrored my excitement too closely. To begin her talk, Clare set a playful and straightforward tone by reading a carefully selected excerpt addressing the age-old debate of boxers vs briefs (or neither). Moving on from underwear, she shared about her experiences and lessons learned from seasonal employee to chief. She covered topics like forest management, law and policy and her hopes for the future of women in firefighting. Themes of tenacity, resilience and honesty carried through each story. As she spoke the audience was spellbound, alternating between laughter, awe and solemn bows of the head.

To say that Clare Frank is an inspiration is an understatement, even while signing books she was delivering pep talks and dispensing quips like an old friend. Whether she chose fire or fire chose her, I’m just glad that she had the courage and the voice to share about it. I will remember the strength of her character any time I hear someone tell me I can’t, anytime I reach farther than I have before and anytime I see boxers when I would have expected briefs.

Thank you, Clare, for adding to the rich history of our clubhouse!