By Shelly Watkins
Harvey County Independent – August 29, 2013
Submitted by Newz Group Clipping Service – September 25, 2013
While firemen are away from home and working hard to fight wildfires all around the United States, their counterparts are working to keep the “home fires” burning.
Many women dream of marrying a man in uniform, but they have no idea what it is going to be like waiting at home for that man to return safe and sound.
A local couple who recently got engaged, Jessica Kieffer and Troy Mueller, know what firefighting means in a relationship.
Mueller grew up in Halstead and now lives in Hutchinson where he is a captain in the Hutchinson Fire Department. Mueller gained valuable experience in fighting wildfires in 1996 when he spent a season as a Wildland Firefighter with the Valentine National Wildlife Refuge. Then in 1997, he began working for the Hutchinson Fire Department where he continues today.
Keiffer grew up outside of El Dorado. She moved to Burrton in 2008 and is currently working as a substitute teacher. “Substituting works great for us right now; it gives me the flexibility I need,” she said.
Keiffer and Mueller met at a Kevin Fowler concert in late 2007. The couple then dated for about a year, getting more serious in the spring of 2008.
Both have been married before and have children from previous marriages. They also have a 2-year old daughter together. Together the couple has a family of eight, with the six children ranging in ages from 2-14.
“When Troy and I got together, of course I knew he was a firefighter. It wasn’t until later that I learned he also fought wildfires, and there’s a big difference. Each summer since we’ve been together, he has gone on a fire assignment in a different state and is gone for about 16 days,” said Keiffer. “During the summer of 2011, he actually went on two assignments, first going to Georgia, being gone for 17 days, then later in the summer he went to Arkansas and was gone for 23 days. I go through about a million emotions.”
For Keiffer, the first year was very hard. “I had never known anything about wildfire or the people that fought them,” said Keiffer. Over the last five years Keiffer has learned a lot about the in’s and out’s of fighting wildfires. “I get sad the second I learn he has been called up for an assignment, but he is excited and already going through his checklist making sure he has everything packed and ready to go.”
During his travel time, Keiffer maintains a calm demeanor and thinking with a heavy heart about not seeing Mueller for weeks and wondering how good communications will be where he gets stationed.
“It depends completely on where I am, up there in the mountains it is rare to have service. But I try and call as much as I can. It is always great to hear Jessica’s voice and talk to the kids,” said Mueller. Both times that Mueller was gone this summer the couple was able to speak daily for at least a few minutes. “It was wonderful, those few minutes or even just a simple text can wash away all worry and fill me with complete happiness and pride, knowing he is doing such a hard, yet worthwhile job,” said Keiffer.
It’s around the time of his arrival on scene that the real anxiety sets in for Keiffer. “I begin to worry about his safety. I know that he is extremely good at his job but that nagging worry is always there,” she said.
Mueller’s absence not only affects his fiancé but also their kids. According to Keiffer, the five older kids do well when he leaves. “They know it is his job and that he’ll be home when it’s done. I think they have also learned a real sense of pride for what he does. However they begin to miss him as well and I get a lot of, “When will Troy be home?” from all the kids,” said Keiffer.
This summer was the first year their youngest daughter, Emily, began to understand what was going on. “We dropped Troy off at his rental car for his first assignment this summer in Colorado from June 26 until July 11. I spent a lot of time answering the question, ‘Where’s my daddy?’ or ‘When daddy be home?’ The second assignment was in Oregon and he flew out early on July 31 and was gone until August 21. We took him to the airport and saw him off on the big airplane (as Emily puts it),” said Keiffer.
Everyday became slightly harder on Emily. She threw extra tantrums and often refused to talk to her daddy when he called because she was upset at him for being gone. Emily often found comfort in the middle of each night by sneaking into bed with her mom. The family tried to stay busy this summer but often found it difficult due to the weather.
“I will say that this summer was among the worst considering the huge tragedy in Arizona for the 19 hotshots that were killed while fighting a fire. Near the end of each assignment I start to get very edgy whether I’ve been talking to him throughout or not, just because I’m frustrated being home without him,” said Keiffer. “I honestly think he is an awesome Captain for Hutch Fire Department, and the knowledge he has when it comes to wildfire keeps me in awe constantly. Many of the things he talks about I may not understand completely but I do know that he puts everything aside and is 100 percent in tune with all of his fire knowledge as he is out doing the job that he does best,” said Keiffer.
While he is away she stays busy with Emily, the youngest, and keeps their everyday life going with all the kids’ sports and other activities the kids might have. “Sometimes I sit and do nothing because I’ve just become exhausted from worry and being alone,” said Keiffer.
“Even though I’m very busy while I’m on assignment, I can’t help but think about Jessica several times a day,” said Mueller, “I miss her and the kids but I have to stay focused on the job at hand.”
Not only does this dangerous work take an emotional toll on the family, it affects their everyday life. There are other responsibilities that Keiffer takes care of while Mueller is risking his life to fight fires. “Troy is very organized so there isn’t a lot of extra work for me to do. I make sure all his mail is picked up and the bills get paid. Sometimes I may run small extra errands he asks me to do, like getting his truck ready to get new tires put on,” said Keiffer.
Living this lifestyle has many joys and it has its challenges. The couple have spent many hours talking about their future together and both of them can agree that “love conquers all” it conquers their fears and confirms their promises to each other.
“I have many fears about his work, mostly that some major accident could happen and he may get injured, but I have to trust in his abilities and know he is truly awesome at what he does,” said Keiffer.
As the time approaches when Mueller will be returning home from his assignments, Keiffer tries to maintain a positive atmosphere. “I begin to get excited a few days before he is to come home, and I try to keep my worries aside—for the kids’ sake. I don’t want them to worry as well. After two or more weeks I am overly excited at the thought of seeing his face and getting that huge hug and kiss that has been missing for what seems like forever. Then I try to reign in my pity and my emotions. I realize I have it easier than so many people, especially military families, because they are gone for considerably longer amounts of time and may have no communication at all with their families,” she said
“I love what I do, and I plan to continue my work, but coming home to my family is an amazing feeling,” said Mueller.
“Seeing his face the second he returns whether it’s at the airport or sitting on the front porch waiting for those last few miles to pass, the tears start to flow and I suddenly feel completely whole again,” said Keiffer. “He is my everything, and the pride I have in that man, simply overflows.”
Since he returned from his Oregon assignment last week, Mueller’s youngest daughter has been very demanding of his time. “I’ve had to fight with Emily for his attention,” laughed Keiffer, “but it’s OK because he is here. I can look over and see his smiling face, completely safe and I know I have about 10 months before I have to miss him like that again.”
The couple has planned their wedding for this fall. They will be getting married in Las Vegas on October 23.
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