The Associated Press via The Bismarck Tribune
GRAND FORKS, N.D. — The Grand Forks Fire Department would like to boost its number of female firefighters.
Fire Chief Pete O’Neil said he would like to see the number grow, possibly when the department hires a dozen new firefighters to accompany a new firehouse scheduled for construction in 2015.
Kelli Flermoen is one of just two females of the department’s 63 uniformed firefighters, a number that is close to the national average. She said she doesn’t think of herself as a number.
Flermoen said the first couple of years are tough for any firefighter, but she thought the department did a good job of helping the two women acclimate.
O’Neil said male or female, all of the new candidates will need to be qualified and prepared.
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