Get to know #yourColletonFirefighter Jennifer Benton on #firefighterfriday. Firefighter-Paramedic Benton joined Colleton County Fire-Rescue in 2015 and was assigned to the Station 7 Platoon on “C” Shift. Here is more about Jennifer:
At a young age, Jennifer always knew she wanted to enter the medical field. She worked hard throughout high school and was accepted to the college of her choice to pursue a nursing career, but Jennifer decided that wasn’t what she wanted to do with her life. Her brother, a former career firefighter for Jasper County Fire-Rescue, would often share stories with her. She said, “His stories were so intense. I would get an adrenaline rush and could feel his passion for helping others in each story.” Keeping her initial attraction to the medical field in mind, he helped guide her on a new path. She listened and decided to enter his world by signing up as a volunteer firefighter for Jasper County Fire-Rescue. Jennifer began taking classes and enrolled in EMT school. EMT school has both didactic and clinical requirements. During her clinical rides, her passion for fire based EMS grew. She knew after stepping foot into an EMT class and meeting her classmates, she had found “her people.” After graduating EMT school, she landed a job with a private ambulance service and was taking fire classes at night. Once her basic fire training was complete, the hunt was on for the career she had worked so hard to enter. In 2015, she found herself sitting in Chief McRoy’s office signing paperwork to become a Firefighter-EMT for Colleton County Fire-Rescue. Jennifer was assigned to Station 13 on “D” shift and quickly transitioned to a 24/48 position. In 2016, she enrolled in Paramedic school. Because of her strong work ethic and determination, she cruised through medic school. March 17, 2021, Jennifer’s brother, Brian, tragically suffered a medical emergency while on duty that resulted in a Line of Duty Death (LODD). His legacy will continue to live on through Jennifer’s passion to help others, his family, and his family of firefighters at Jasper County Fire-Rescue.
On her days off, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her husband, Jason, and their two children. The family of four loves to travel and spend as many days as possible at the beach. Every once in a while, she finds time for one of her favorite hobbies, an afternoon nap!
