Female firefighters comprise approximately 9% of the firefighting workforce, facing unique challenges and opportunities for the women serving their communities. Hear from firefighters from all ranks, and learn about the insights, standards and policies helping create a more inclusive space for women.
Female EMS clinicians report high rates of harassment, mental health struggles and limited career support. Research highlights key areas for reform to create a safer and more inclusive workplace.
FEATURES & PROFILES
Research examines the impact of the job on pregnant firefighters
Understanding the different models to facility design can help fire service leaders find the best solution for their department
The women offer insights for tackling challenges to inclusiveness in the fire service – and pushing back against the “haters”
Research shows that female firefighters face different risks than their male counterparts
Define what behaviors are off limits and what to do if an assault against emergency responders does occur
While exposed to the same on-the-job dangers as their male colleagues, female firefighters, EMTs and paramedics have different levels of risks
Female firefighters are held to the same standards as their male counterparts, and cannot be overlooked in firefighter recruitment campaigns
With more women than ever joining departments, open dorms and a lack of bathrooms make for a difficult work environment
Pregnancy should not require female firefighters to abandon their careers, pay and benefits in exchange for the safety of their baby
IN THE NEWS
The former fire rescue employee’s wrongful termination claim alleges she was unfairly singled out for her gender and social media use
Chief Kara Kalkbrenner said she has a positive outlook and will continue to lead after recovering from surgery
The change removes male-specific terminology and refers instead to “firefighters”
Portland Fire Chief Sara Boone calls her role an “amazing honor” and hopes to open more doors for female and minority firefighters
The three-woman crew says they have seen skepticism from both men and women about their abilities but don’t let it faze them
Firefighter-EMT Tamara Thacher died Tuesday after serving 31 years with the Sacramento Fire Department
Kansas City Fire Chief Donna Maize had been appointed as interim chief earlier this year, becoming the first woman leader in the department’s 150-year history
Records reveal that officials raised concerns about female cadets frequently being pulled out of training by the chief, who is accused of sexual harassment
The city’s mayor rejected allegations made by a federal commission that the fire department’s testing process for applicants was discriminatory
Longtime Duluth Fire Department Firefighter Marnie Grondahl is now the deputy chief of life safety and administration
The jury awarded Pvt. Judi Imhoff $150,000 related to gender discrimination, but jurors denied claims of discrimination made by a retired captain
Toledo female firefighters are speaking out after several complaints and legal issues have surfaced over the years concerning gender and racial discrimination
The City Council introduced a resolution that would authorize the hiring of the National Testing Network for a study of fire bureau’s hiring practices
Michelle Woolverton and Christi Shibata were sworn in recently as the department’s first ever full-time female firefighters since its inception 140 years ago
Donna Maize’s appointment marks a major milestone for a department that at one time was known for blatant sexual harassment and abusive treatment
The U.S. Forest Service is encouraging women to apply for wildland firefighting jobs in the Santa Fe and Carson national forests
Chief Deputy Tiffany Green will be the interim replacement for retiring Chief Benjamin Barksdale
Data collected will help manufacturers design firefighting gear specifically for females
Senior firefighter Ashley Rosenbaum will be named captain in a ceremony Wednesday at Station 17 on Cole Road
William R. Powell created the organization’s first hazmat and swift-water rescue teams, bought three fire trucks with ladders reaching 150 feet and started hiring female firefighters
Out of the 2,639 firefighters surveyed, only 75 responses were from females and 20% scored positive for PTSD and 30% will consider suicide throughout her life
Thirty city firefighters became lieutenants Wednesday in a promotion ceremony presided over by Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro
Women still make up less than 1 percent of New York’s 11,000 firefighters. The city trails Minneapolis, San Francisco, Seattle and Miami
According to her attorney not all stations complied with federal law regarding pumping rooms
Jeanine Nicholson, only the second woman to hold the position, will also have the distinction of being the city’s first LGBT fire chief
Catherine Lohan, one of the women who smashed the FDNY’s gender barrier nearly 40 years ago to become a New York City firefighter, died at 68
After Hannah Summers said on Twitter that her daughter didn’t think girls could be firefighters, first responders replied with encouraging messages
Lake Station Fire Chief Chuck Fazekas said Taeylor Holliday, 18, is part of “a different breed,” willing to risk her life to save others
Trisha Wolford, who was the first female assistant chief in Spokane, will be the first female chief of Anne Arundel County Fire Department
ON THE BETTER EVERY SHIFT PODCAST
Better Every Shift’s resident scientist shares how the upcoming Science to the Station event helps firefighters connect with peers and experts
The Anne Arundel County fire chief underscores the importance of transparency and trust when stepping into a new leadership role
The San Francisco assistant chief shares tactical tips for dominating the fire so it has no chance of victory
As she steps down from the top spot in Baltimore County, Rund takes on a new, family-focused role with the NFFF
The Fairfax County (Virginia) firefighter-paramedic talks crew bonding, firefighter reproductive health, and banishing ego to create space for vulnerable conversations
The former CAL FIRE chief of fire protection shares stories from her unique path from seasonal firefighter to fire chief and beyond
It’s important to connect with your fellow firefighters, get involved in training, and avoid silos
The battalion chief explains how so much of her decision-making is rooted in the 2008 Salisbury Millworks blaze
The Indianapolis battalion chief highlights the power of company officers to quash negativity
The Raleigh firefighter and peer support advocate explains her perspective on healthy boundaries, therapy and why connection is life-sustaining
The fire service scientist details her newest adventure, the Science Alliance, plus how to make data accessible at the station level
The co-founder of HeartFit for Duty shares the common risk factors for cardiac and cancer challenges – and the simple exercise with the greatest impact
Bassi, who serves as CEO for the Center for Public Safety Excellence, shares the power of department accreditation and personal credentials, plus ‘AI for newbies’
BOOKS BY FEMALE FIREFIGHTERS
A trailblazing memoir from Clare Frank, California’s first (and only) female chief of fire protection
Retired Captain Cindie Schooner-Ball offers readers a woman’s perspective on working in this male-dominated profession
Ruby has been assigned to Minneapolis Fire Station 7 for three months when she finally responds to her first house fire
Julie, the only woman on a 20-person crew, struggles to prove her worth and find a place in the very masculine world of firefighting