Dana Risso, 21, is a student at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. As a senior Communication Disorders major, Dana must juggle her busy schedule, dividing her time between her academics, work, and boyfriend. Not only is Dana a full-time student, but she is also Captain of the Amherst Volunteer Fire Department, a fire-safety attendant for residence life on-campus, and an employee at Dick’s Sporting Goods.
If Dana is not doing schoolwork or hanging out with friends, she is spending time with her boyfriend, Eric Toia, who is also a member of the fire squad. Dana and Eric have been dating for nearly two years, since they met during their sophomore year of college. They treasure their free time together as college-bound grads, and plan to move in together after they graduate in May 2011.
As only one of three female fire-fighters on the Amherst squad, Dana must keep a strong and confident attitude in the male-dominated environment. Her professional attitude is apparent when in her presence. This allows her to handle herself very well, and maintain the attention and control of the other members of the squad.
Dana Risso, 21, is Captain of the Amherst Fire Department's volunteer squad, and a senior at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.  Capt. of the Amherst Fire Dept.'s volunteer squad, Dana Risso, 21, records the month's emergency calls on Thursday, November 28th. "The paperwork wouldn't be all that bad if I didn't have so much homework to do." - Dana Risso  Dana Risso, 21, Capt. of the Volunteer Amherst Fire Dept., gives instructions during her squad's weekly "drill" practice on Thursday, November 18th. "A few hours ago, I was sitting in class next to some of the guys. Now I'm giving them orders. There's good and bad in that." -Dana Risso   |
Dana Risso, 21, Capt. of the Volunteer Amherst Fire Dept., leads her squad in drill practice on Thursday, November 18th. "It's intimidating and awkward having to tell the guys what to do, but I learned to bite the bullet. Now it's somewhat of a power-trip for me." -Dana Risso |
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| Dana Risso, 21, a senior at UMass Amherst, walks to her Marketing class on Thursday, November 25th. |
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| Dana Risso, 21, Captain of the Amherst Fire Department's Volunteer squad, lives and works in a male-dominated atmosphere; however, she is no tom-boy. "I love shoes. I'm part of a shoe club." -Dana Risso |
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| Dana Risso, 21, spends time with her boyfriend, Eric Toia, 22. Both are firefighters; however, Dana holds a higher ranking than Eric. "It can get tough bossing Eric around at work. You have to leave the relationship at home, otherwise it can make working together really tense." -Dana Risso |
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| Dana Risso, 21, basically lives at her boyfriend's apartment, Eric Toia, 22. They will be moving in together after they graduate in May 2011. |
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| "Being the woman-in-charge at the firehouse is really awesome. But having someone there for you when you come home is even better." - Dana Risso |
