Faces of the Valley: Lower Burrell's Abby Koscianski sets example in firefighting, leadership

Firefighting is in Abby Koscianski’s blood.

When she was little, Abby and her brother, Joey, would play and pretend to go on calls as a firefighters with Lower Burrell Volunteer Fire Company No. 3.

Their parents, Femo and Lisa Ficca, met while volunteering for the company.

When Koscianski was 14, she joined the company as a junior firefighter. She met her husband, Justin, while both were volunteering for the company.

It’s all part of what Koscianski, 24, of Lower Burrell calls an ultimately rewarding experience. What makes it worthwhile, she said, is “seeing people’s gratitude when you come out on the worst days of their lives, how thankful they are.”

Koscianski recalled instances where she and others assisted people in emergency situations and then later ran into those people in the community. She didn’t always remember the people, but they remembered her and thanked her for her service.

“This is what really continues to drive me,” she said.

Recently, Koscianski earned the Connie Davis Service Award from the Western Pennsylvania Firefighters Association. The award is given to female firefighters who exemplify excellence in their performance and serve as role models to other female firefighters. She called the award “a very nice surprise.”

“It’s very hard being a female in a male-dominated field. Fortunately at Lower Burrell, everyone knows me and what I’m capable of,” she said.

Lower Burrell Councilwoman Brandy Grieff, who serves as director of public safety, said she is proud of Koscianski’s accomplishments as a firefighter and the award is like the cherry on top.

“It’s an outstanding award, an honor, and should be celebrated. I know her (department) is incredibly supportive and proud of her as well,” Grieff said.

“Our fire (departments) within the city are fully volunteer. It’s a full-time job outside of their regular jobs, to which the dedication is unmatched. We are extremely fortunate in this city to have the incredible volunteer fire departments that we have.”

Fire Chief Brennan Sites said he has known Koscianski for about eight years — and “immediately recognized her potential, not only as a firefighter, but as a leader.”

“Abby is definitely one of our most valued members,” Sites said. “She’s been a part of our family way before her ink hit the application.”

Sites stressed that while firefighting is a male-dominated profession, crews are trying to erase that stigma for women.

“(Koscianski’s) an example for girls and women that you can be a female firefighter and excel at it,” he said.

Koscianski, a driver for the company, brings training expertise and firefighting experience to the table, Sites said.

In her day job, Koscianski is a nurse. She always is focused on how to make herself a better firefighter, Sites said.

“Helping people is something she does all the time,” Sites said. “It makes me proud just to know her.”