After High School I went on to get my degree in Surgical technology,

working as a forest firefighter during the summers. Shortly into my

employment at Grande Ronde Hospital in LaGrande, I realized how
much I missed being in the outdoors and returned to school to obtain
my Paramedic certificate. Several years later in that field, I tested for
a Fire Department position and have been employed as an Apparatus
Operator/Paramedic for the past 17 years. Yes, God does have a sense
of humor as the station I worked at for many years was right next to
LaSalle. A recent transfer has me now housed at our Oak Lodge
station in the Oak Grove area.

During this time I married a farmer and reside near Albany, Oregon
where we spend much of our time.

I have continued in athletics, winning local triathlons in the 90’s and

competing in Ironman distances, but mainly ride my bike now in
endurance races, where I hold a 12 hour time trial record in California.

Kate Riggs