Behind The Alarm: Women in the Fire Service — A History of Courage, Trailblazing, and Breaking Barriers
Introduction
March is Women’s History Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the vital contributions of women throughout history — including those who have shaped the fire service. Although firefighting has traditionally been a male-dominated field, women have been serving communities with courage and dedication for over two centuries. This week, we take a deep dive into the history of women in the fire service, highlighting their perseverance, accomplishments, and the ongoing fight for equality.
Early Pioneers: 1800s to Early 1900s
Women’s history in the fire service goes back further than many realize. Some of the earliest recorded female firefighters include:
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Molly Williams (1818): Widely recognized as the first female firefighter in the United States. Molly was a freed slave who worked alongside the men of Oceanus Engine Company No. 11 in New York City. She was noted for her strength and bravery during severe snowstorms when the men were sick with influenza.
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Lillie Hitchcock Coit (1863): In San Francisco, Lillie Coit broke gender norms by actively participating in firefighting efforts. She became an honorary member of Knickerbocker Engine Company No. 5.
These women were exceptions, not the rule. At the time, firefighting was considered unsuitable for women, due to the physical demands and societal expectations.
World War II: Women Step In
As men were called to serve overseas during World War II, women stepped up to fill emergency response roles, including firefighting. This period marked a turning point, proving that women were more than capable of handling the physical and technical challenges of the job.
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In the United Kingdom, women served in fire brigades as part of the Auxiliary Fire Service (AFS), handling hoses, operating pumps, and performing rescue work during air raids.
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In the United States, volunteer fire departments increasingly relied on women to maintain fire protection in rural communities.
Despite their success, women were often dismissed after the war ended, as returning male veterans reclaimed those jobs.
The Modern Era: Breaking Barriers in the 1970s and 1980s
The women’s rights movement of the 1960s and 1970s helped open doors in fire departments across the United States. Women began challenging legal barriers to entry into fire academies, filing lawsuits over discrimination, and demanding equal treatment.
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1973: Brenda Berkman applied to become a firefighter in New York City but was rejected due to biased physical testing requirements. Her lawsuit (Berkman v. City of New York) resulted in new, fairer physical exams, and she became one of the city’s first female firefighters in 1982.
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1974: The Los Angeles Fire Department hired its first female firefighter, and other major cities followed suit.
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Throughout the 1980s, female firefighters organized networks such as Women in the Fire Service, Inc. to advocate for equitable hiring, fair treatment, and workplace safety.
Contributions and Cultural Shifts
Women in the fire service didn’t just fight fires; they changed the culture of firefighting itself. They brought:
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New perspectives on safety: Emphasizing injury prevention and improved gear fitting (since traditional turnout gear was designed for men’s bodies).
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Increased public outreach: Leading fire safety education efforts in schools and underserved communities.
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Advocacy for better family policies: Pushing for maternity leave, lactation accommodations, and fair schedules for working mothers.
Today: Growing Numbers, Continuing Challenges
As of 2024, women still represent only about 9% of career firefighters in the United States — a stark contrast to other professions that have seen more gender balance. However, the numbers are steadily increasing, and women hold leadership roles in fire departments across the country, serving as chiefs, training officers, and union leaders.
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Trailblazers Today: Women like Chief Toni Washington (Decatur, Georgia), Chief Jo-Ann Lorber (Fort Lauderdale), and Chief Debra Amesqua (Madison, Wisconsin’s first female fire chief) are paving the way for future generations.
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International Impact: In countries like Australia, Canada, and Germany, women firefighters are becoming more visible, helping break cultural stereotypes.
Key Contributions by Women in the Fire Service
NameContributionMolly WilliamsFirst recorded female firefighter in the U.S.Brenda BerkmanLegal pioneer for gender equality in the FDNYChief Debra AmesquaFirst female chief of a career department in WisconsinChief Rosemary CloudFirst African American female fire chief (East Point, GA)Heather DeRoccoCo-founder of Women in Fire, a leading advocacy group
Looking Forward: Building an Inclusive Fire Service
The future of firefighting depends on welcoming diverse talent — and that includes encouraging more young women to see firefighting as a viable career. Today, recruitment programs, mentoring networks, and leadership training are focused on:
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Educating girls and young women about career opportunities in emergency services.
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Ensuring gear and equipment fit properly for diverse body types.
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Creating harassment-free, supportive workplaces for all firefighters.
Closing Thoughts
As we celebrate Women’s History Month, we honor the trailblazers who made today’s progress possible — and commit to building a fire service that fully reflects the communities we serve.
Thank you for reading this week’s installment of Behind The Alarm! Check back next week as we tackle another topic from behind the alarm. Have questions or suggestions? We’d love to hear from you!
This article first appeared in Behind The Alarm, the newsletter of Fred R. LaPoint, Fire Chief Paramedic of the Stronach Township Fire Department, on March 3, 2025. Read the original.