Hampshire Regional track sophomore Hannah Labrie is a Goshen junior firefighter

By GAGE NUTTER

For the Gazette

Published: 04-27-2017 11:33 PM

WESTHAMPTON — Hannah Labrie finished first in every event she competed in during the Hampshire Regional girls track and field team’s 85-57 win over Monson on Thursday.

The sophomore finished first in the long jump (15 feet, ½ inch) and the triple jump (30-7½), and ran on the Raiders’ first place 4x100-meter relay team (54.7).

The results are a reflection of her work ethic. When the track meets are over, Labrie trades in her red uniform and pink and neon green cleats for a firefighter’s jacket and boots.

Labrie is a junior firefighter for the Goshen Fire Department.

She has been around the department as long as she can remember. For most of her life, she would hang out around the fire station in her hometown. Her mom, Sue, is the fire chief. In 2006, when Hannah was 5, Sue became the state’s first female fire chief. Hannah’s father, Robert, is captain and technology office in the department.

When Hannah grew old enough, she decided to join.

“Since I’m not 18 yet I’m not able to go into live fires. So I am usually out there getting the equipment out of the ambulance or out of the fire trucks,” Labrie said. “I just help around by cleaning the gear and help make sure the trucks are all set for any calls. We also do a lot of mental training, because (the job) takes a toll sometimes.”

Track and field practices can be grueling, but Labrie feels like her work with the fire department has helped keep her in shape throughout the season.

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“It’s definitely a lot easier because just wearing the gear is usually physically tolling,” Labrie said. “You usually end the night in a sweat. Bringing the gear up the stairs is usually a lot of extra pounds. So it’s nice to have the physical strength to be able to do that.”

Labrie has training at the fire station every Tuesday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., sometimes later. The work can be tiring, but Labrie takes solace is knowing that she is making a difference.

“It helps to know that there is always someone there if there’s an emergency,” Labrie said. “It’s a small town but we do have a great enough group where we can have someone on call 24/7. It’s also just very helpful to have the general knowledge just in case there is someone on the street that is hurt and needs help that I can help them.”

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