Camila Gómez stood in the firehouse wearing a helmet and a weighted vest. Her hands were on her hips as she tried to catch her breath.
Despite being a professional athlete, Gómez felt exhausted after completing a series of activities meant to replicate typical firefighter tasks. The workout included walking on a stair machine with an added weight of 75 pounds, dragging a 175-pound mannequin, carrying circular saws over a distance of 150 feet, using a sledgehammer to break through a barrier, raising a ladder hand-over-hand and breaking through a ceiling with a pike pole.
While Gómez is still fully immersed in her volleyball career with the Omaha Supernovas, the 5-foot-2 libero is preparing for life after volleyball, including training with Omaha area firefighters.
“It’s hard and I have so much respect for those people,” she said. “It is a very rigorous workout. Being an athlete for almost my entire life helps, but it’s definitely a different kind of cardio workout and conditioning.”
On the volleyball court, the next challenge for Gómez and the Supernovas will be the postseason semifinals Friday night against the Indy Ignite at Lee’s Family Forum just outside Las Vegas.
Omaha Supernovas libero Camila Gomez watches a serve go long. Photo by John S. Peterson.
This year, Gómez has put together an All-Star campaign for the Supernovas. She is averaging 3.88 digs per set, which is fifth best in the Pro Volleyball Federation, and helped lead Omaha’s defense, which is limiting opponents to a .208 hitting percentage.
While trying to pass attacks coming at you at 70 miles per hour isn’t the same danger as running into a burning building, Gómez said her background as an athlete will help her deal with high-stakes situations, and she views that type of pressure as a privilege.
“As an athlete, I’ve always felt very honored because I get to be in those situations, and that brings me joy,” she said. “Of course, that’s different on the fire field, because you’re going to be responsible for saving lives. Because it’s really hard, and it’s really a novel thing to do. It brings me joy. I respect it so much. I don’t think I’m afraid, but I do respect it so much.”
Growing up in Colombia, Gómez never thought about being a firefighter. She became interested in the profession after moving to the United States 10 years ago to play volleyball at Miami Dade College, where she led the Sharks to NJCAA Division I national championships in 2016 and 2017. While in Miami, she met Casio Vargas, who had previously worked for the college and was still connected to the volleyball program.
They developed a familial relationship, and Gómez calls him “Dad.” Vargas worked as a firefighter in Miami-Dade County. Gómez looked up to him and admired the work he did to improve the community.
After graduating from Texas A&M with a degree in economics, reality began to set in. She’s played professionally in Brazil for two seasons and with the Columbus Fury last year, but knows it won’t last forever. She saw a lot of similarities between the Fire Department and the volleyball court. Both are physically demanding, require personal sacrifices, and rely upon teamwork to succeed.
“I saw the perfect fit for me, being able to help people and giving back to the community, stay active and stay outside. All of that comes with the job,” Gómez said.
Omaha Supernovas Camila Gomez digs the ball against the Atlanta Vibe. Photo by John S. Peterson.
Gómez, who lives in Miami in the offseason, plans to return to the area and apply to join fire departments in July. She passed her Physical Ability Test and became a certified Emergency Medical Technician in December to boost her candidacy. The final step is to be accepted into a Fire Academy.
Gómez might have to sit out a season during her probationary period if she gets hired by a department. After a year on the job, firefighters have more control of their schedule, and Gómez could take off five months to continue playing volleyball.
Even if she has to pause her professional career, Gómez won’t leave the sport behind. She helps coach future liberos in the Miami area.
“This is my priority right now. Volleyball is my job, and I’m just getting ready for the near future,” Gómez said. “I can’t play volleyball for my entire life.”
