In a two-day showcase aimed to inspire the next generation of female firefighters, DeKalb County Fire Rescue and the City of Decatur Fire Department connected with young women considering a future in firefighting. According to a WABE report, the event included a "day in the life" experience and a one-day camp for girls aged 14-18, giving them firsthand insight into a career that has traditionally been male-dominated.
Captain Annette Haygood emphasized the nationwide need to bolster firefighter numbers and noted the positive influence that showcasing women in the field could have. "We want you to be able to see yourselves in this job," said the City of Decatur's Fire Chief Toni Washington, one of the country's few women fire chiefs, capturing the essence of the event in a statement given to WABE. This sentiment underscores the event's goal to not only to educate but to also vividly mirror the possibilities for young women to aim to become.
Speakers did not shy away from discussing the job's inherent challenges, acknowledging the physical and emotional toll it can take. "Every time I've done a pediatric CPR, I've been crying," shared retired firefighter and paramedic Robin Martin, in a statement obtained by WABE. The importance of mental health support was emphasized, with a greater focus nowadays on both general firefighter well-being and particular support for women in the force.
The event did more than just educate; it inspired attendees like Jenay Storey, a recent graduate of Alabama A&M. "It was a great way to show that if you're a woman, you can do anything you want, if you put your mind to it," Storey told WABE. With DeKalb Fire Chief Darnell Fullum affirming that heart and commitment are the primary prerequisites for the job, the event poised itself to be a potential turning point in the lives of its young participants. DeKalb County Fire Rescue plans to hold another Female Firefighter Weekend in the fall, offering a 40 to 42-week training program that includes EMT certification, with no prior experience required.
