Ellianna Ragsdale Joins Mason City Fire Department

Recent H-D-CAL graduate Ellianna Ragsdale has some big news: she's one of Mason City's newest firefighters. 

Ragsdale, who graduated from H-D-CAL High School last year, and who was born and raised in Hampton, said this wasn’t always the plan. At first she wanted to study business in college. But after taking some business courses in high school, she realized it wasn’t for her. So she pivoted and looked into EMT classes, which she loved. 

Last January, she completed the application test for Mason City’s fire department. The test had several portions, including a cognitive and physical assessment. For part of it she had to pull a dummy across an attic blindfolded. Luckily, she had prepared for this part of the test beforehand. In the weeks leading up to the test she practiced by pulling her boyfriend around with a logging chain. 

“It was challenging, but I prepped,” she told the Chronicle. “I’m in great shape right now because of this job!”
After passing the tests with flying colors, she started her training as a fire fighter at the start of May. And now, on Wednesday, June 18, she will begin her regular shifts, where she’ll assist as needed. 

She plans on taking her final test in August to make everything official. 

When asked about working in a male-dominated field, Ragsale said it made her feel proud. 

“It’s important to have females in this field,” she said. “We bring a different perspective.” 

Ragsdale said she looks forward to maintaining a long career with the Mason City Fire Department. She currently lives in Rockwell with her boyfriend, Carson Nuehring, and their cat, Oak.