In the Topsfield Fire Department, service is a family affair—and for four women on the roster, motherhood is woven into that commitment in meaningful, everyday ways.

This Mother’s Day, we recognize the balance they carry: responding to emergencies while raising children, offering compassion both at home and in moments of crisis, and modeling resilience for the next generation.

Jen Collins-Brown
 Chief of the Department
 39 years of service
 Children: Conor, Kiki, Ally, and Griffin; grandmother to Fiona, James, Maya, Vera, and Rose

Chief Jen Collins-Brown has dedicated nearly four decades to the Topsfield Fire Department, building a career defined by leadership and deep community ties. She and her husband joined the department in the 1980s after moving to town, initially seeking connection. “We were looking for ways to meet people in the community,” she says. That decision grew into a lifelong commitment rooted in something even more personal. “Helping people was ingrained in us as children,” she says, reflecting on her upbringing in Marblehead.

Her role today is all-encompassing. “Working on the Topsfield Fire Department is a 24/7 endeavor,” she says. “Emergencies happen at all times of day and night and vary widely.” Alongside overseeing operations and emergency management for the town, she remains closely connected to her team and the community. Despite the demands, she values the variety and purpose the work brings. “I enjoy being busy, and the variety of aspects of this job keep it very interesting,” she says.

Raising four children while building her career came with sacrifice. “Vacations, meals and holidays were often interrupted by emergency responses,” she says. Still, she hopes the example left a lasting impression. “I hope that I have passed along compassion for others and to work hard for personal and professional goals.” Looking back, it is the people—both those she serves and those she serves alongside—who stand out most. “The growth and dedication of our team… is one of the best parts of this career,” she says. “There is really nothing more rewarding than helping people in need.”

Tammy Harper
 On-Call Firefighter
 17 years of service
 Children: Sierra, Taylor, and Dylan

For Tammy Harper, the path to the fire service was shaped by family and a growing sense of purpose. Introduced to the idea by her brother-in-law and later inspired by her son’s Eagle Scout project supporting fire access roads, she says one conversation made the difference. “She spoke of the heart of the fire service being about ‘helping people,’” Harper says of Chief Collins-Brown. “That simple statement stayed with me.”

Balancing the role alongside a full-time job requires constant coordination and strong support at home. "It's a support for which I am truly grateful.”

Harper speaks with particular clarity about the emotional depth of the work. One moment stands out: staying with a woman while others performed CPR on her husband. “My hope was that a simple hug would help support her through the unimaginable,” she says. In contrast, another call brought joy—assisting in the delivery of a baby at home. “Being part of such a profound and life-changing moment was incredibly beautiful,” she says. These experiences, she adds, define the role. “Serving isn’t just about responding to emergencies—it’s about compassion, connection, and being there when people need it most.”

As a mother, she hopes those values have carried through. “My hope is that my children have all found value in helping others when they have opportunities to do so,” she says.

Nicole (Nikki) Phipps
On-Call Firefighter
 2.5 years of service
 Children: Jayne, Jack, Zeke, and Zoey

Nicole “Nikki” Phipps’ journey to the fire service feels both personal and full circle. Her father served as a call firefighter in Topsfield for 25 years, an influence that stayed with her from an early age. “He inspired me to take an EMT class in high school,” she says. Years later, after moving back to Massachusetts with her family, she decided to act on that interest. “I had so many questions and loved the idea of becoming a firefighter… I decided I should do it!”

Now, she balances the unpredictability of call shifts with life at home, often coordinating closely with her husband. “Every day is different!” she says. “That means coordination… to make sure that nothing falls through the cracks.” What makes it especially meaningful is the opportunity to serve in her own community. “I love being able to respond to emergencies in my hometown,” she says.

Motherhood and firefighting intersect in the lessons she hopes to pass along. “I want them to be successful, happy, and prepared to face life’s challenges,” she says. She points to the qualities she sees in her fellow firefighters—“compassion, hard work, and having an adventurous spirit”—as the same ones she hopes to instill in her children.

The most rewarding moments come in quiet, human connections. “When someone calls emergency services, it generally means they are not having a good day,” she says. “The most rewarding moments have come when I feel like I have helped someone feel more at ease during a really scary situation.”

Kate Duval
On-Call Firefighter
 6 years of service
 Child: Catherine “Kitt” 

Kate Duval’s introduction to the fire service began with curiosity and quickly turned into a deep sense of belonging. “My now husband became a firefighter when we were dating, and I thought it looked fun!” she says. What kept her there, she adds, is the connection. “The community I’ve had the privilege to become a part of is definitely what has kept me passionate.”

Now a new mother, Duval is already thinking about the lessons she hopes to pass along to her daughter. “I hope one day to teach her about showing up for people and asking yourself, ‘how can I help?’” she says. “I hope to teach her about being of service to others.”

Even early in her career, moments of impact stand out vividly. She recalls one of her first experiences helping a patient in the ambulance. “It was one of the first times I was truly able to make someone feel more comfortable,” she says. That ability to provide reassurance, even in small ways, continues to define her work.

Her advice to others reflects the importance of connection. “Find your community and keep it close!” she says—a sentiment that resonates both within the firehouse and at home.

Madeline Pitcairn found her path to the fire service while working as a 911 dispatcher, where exposure to trainings sparked something deeper. “I had the opportunity to attend local fire department trainings, and something immediately clicked,” she says. “I felt a sense of purpose and quickly fell in love with the job.”

Now serving full-time in Topsfield, she also works as the town’s Fire Life Safety Educator, teaching students about fire safety, emergency response, and first aid. “Those interactions are some of the most rewarding parts of the job,” she says.

One moment, in particular, left a lasting impression. During a school visit, a young student greeted her with surprise: “Wow—you’re a girl firefighter.” Pitcairn says the comment reinforced the importance of visibility. “Sometimes simply showing up can help expand what a young person believes is possible,” she says.

Her advice to young girls considering the field is rooted in growth and confidence. “Stay curious, challenge yourself, and trust that your path doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s,” she says. “This career is about service… and making a difference when it matters most.”