First responders: Jessica and Mariano Icaza

By Freeman Klopott
Examiner Staff Writer 8/20/08

For Jessica and Mariano Icaza, being Prince William County firefighters is more than just a job, it’s also what brought them together. The two met at the end of 2004, several months after Jessica joined the department and four years after Mariano joined. By July 2006, they were married. Before having a child, they were known to fight fires side by side.

So what brought each of you to a firefighting career?
Jessica: I grew up in the fire department. Both of my parents were firefighters and I’ve been volunteering since 1996.

Mariano: I have a military background and have always wanted to help people. Before this I was a chef in Florida and I wanted to become a firefighter, but down there you have pay your way through the academy before you can apply. ... I moved to Virginia, where it’s the opposite.

Do you think it’s different fighting fires as a couple?
Mariano: It’s always hard to fight fires with people that are close to you. There’s extra worry. I know she’s capable of doing the job, but there’s always concern.

Jessica: I’m pretty much always worried during a fire, wondering where he’s at. How’s he doing? Is he OK? But I also focus on what I need to be doing.

Mariano: Last year when a firefighter was killed at a fire I was fighting, I called her right away to let her know I was OK.

Has having a child changed anything?
Jessica: I’m in an office job right now, training recruits. After having a baby, you’re stationed in the training academy for three years and I’m halfway through that now. I’ll return to the field when my time is up.

Mariano: I have kids from a previous marriage. I think about what happens to them if something happens to me. There’s an extra sense of needing to be safety-oriented. The department’s support is great. It’s very strong on that.

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