TRENTON, N.J. — Firefighter Alisa McNeese, 47, joined the Trenton Fire Department as the first woman in the department’s history in 1995, according to the Times. Last month, Firefighter McNeese became responsible for the SS-1, a special services truck that stores and refills air tanks.
“It is definitely an accomplishment. Looking at our department, which has officially been organized for about 120 years, this is a first,” Fire Director Qareeb Bashir said.
Firefighter McNeese is one of four women out of the 220 city firefighters.
“I’m honored, and I’m just grateful the guys here are welcoming me,” Firefighter McNeese said.
During a hair appointment almost two decades ago, a fire department recruiter noticed her build and recommended she try out for a job. She had been an athlete her whole life, the Times reports, playing softball and basketball in high school and college.
Firefighter McNeese gets a pay raise with her new driver responsibilities and hopes to test to become a captain for the department.
“I’m dedicated to the Trenton Fire Department now,” she said.