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MEMBER PROFILE: Linda S. Treadwell, retired Firefighter/Paramedic.

Linda was born Linda Sue Aspinwall in St. Vincent’s Hospital to John and Gerri Aspinwall. Linda has one brother John and three sisters, Gail, Sandi and Becky. Linda likes to tell people her age is between 29 and none of your business.

When Linda was 5 years old her father’s job transferred the family to Galena Park, Texas where she lived until she was sixteen.

After moving back to the west side of Jacksonville Linda attended and graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in 1994.

Linda has three children, Julie, Gerri-Anne and Robert. Linda is proud to say she has been given 9 grandchildren.

Linda got her start in the fire service because her children were all involved in Pop-Warner football in 1982. Linda decided to take the first responder course at FCCJ in order to be the medical person on the field at all home football games. During her training she was given the chance to ride a fire department rescue unit. At the end of a 6-hour visit Linda knew she wanted to do go further with her training.

Soon after her ride on Rescue 6 out of Station 6 on Florida Avenue, Linda continued her education by finishing EMT class and then her paramedic training. During a conversation with then Medical Director Dr. Jim Vretis he told Linda that the only way for her use the skills she had just learned in Jacksonville, she would have to become a firefighter. It took a couple of months to convince Linda of this fact.
Soon after completing her paramedic state boards Linda entered the Fire Academy. During the time that Linda was going to the Academy she also worked Rescue Unit in Nassau County and as a Flight Paramedic with TraumaOne University Hospital. Linda likes to give credit to Larry McCall and Wilbur Cox for encouraging her during her training.

Linda was hired on the JFRD with the largest class ever hired. She was one of two females hired in a class of 100 in March of 1988. Linda’s first assignment was Ladder 4 with Lt. Steve Leggett as her officer. Because there was a shortage of paramedics in the late 1980’s Linda was transferred to Rescue 1 with only 2 ½ months on the job.
Linda’s first rescue officer was Lt. Tom McCrone, however she transferred all over the city as third person. Linda states that most people hated transferring but she enjoyed it. Linda said she never had to get involved too much with Station politics because she was transferred so much.


When asked about a call that always comes to mind Linda stated that a house fire on Tubman Avenue where 7 children died has stayed with her. Eng. Walter Griffith and Linda picked up a house fire that was only three blocks from where they were enroute back from the hospital. Upon arriving on the scene they found a house with burglar bars and flames coming from the left side of the house. By the time the engine got there and the house was fully involved . By the time the night was over 7 children died.

Linda likes tell the story of how she met the love of her life, her husband Warren. She says it was strictly by accident. There was an accident at the intersection of 103rd Street and Ricker Rd. involving three vehicles. There were three patients flown to the hospital and 4 more transported. Warren was a JSO Sergeant in charge of the scene and that is how they met.

Linda and Warren have been retired for 18 months and have they been very busy. They have added a Florida room, workshop, gas fire pit and swimming pool. Linda has also served as the President of the RedKnights Motorcycle Club. Linda has planned several of the annual trips. During their down time they have taken two motorcycle trips. Last May they were on their Harley Davidson’s for two weeks during a trip to Fredericksburg, Texas. In October of 2011 they were gone for a week to Tennessee to see the leaves change. They are now in the process of planning a trip back to the Smokey Mountains in May.

Linda enjoys gardening at her house. She has over 50 rose bushes that she takes very good care of. Linda also has a vegetable garden and numerous citrus trees.

Linda also raises her own mealworms that she feeds to the Bluebirds. Her Bluebirds have raised 11 families in her back yard birdhouses. This is Linda’s relaxation.

When asked about what she considered her greatest accomplishments on the fire department there is no hesitation. Linda is proud of the Memorial honoring Firefighters that have died in the line of duty that she had built at the Museum. Linda is also proud of the Firefighter’s Widow’s Luncheon. This is the seventh year for the event. Linda feels that it is important that widow’s still feel a connection with the department.

Linda retired from the Fire Museum on September 10, 2010. Linda was the Curator of the Museum for 6 years and loved every minute of it. During her time at the Museum Linda was elected as the Secretary of the Jacksonville Retired Firefighters Association and she still holds that office today.
 

Linda tending her garden.	Linda is very proud of her David Austin roses!
Linda standing in front of the Fire Fighters Memorial Wall she had built at the Fire Museum.	Linda's pride and joy, 2012 Harley Ultra Limited.

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