Inspiring the next generation of female first responders

Female firefighters (from left) Emily Wolf, Sarah Barclay and Jennifer Reid enjoy being role models for the next generation of female first responders. Their presence and professionalism attracts and encourages women to follow their passion for serving the community. (Robin Krafft Photo).

Robin Krafft, Post Contributor

Women have become an increasing presence in Canadian fire services. There are currently three female volunteer firefighters with Tillsonburg Fire and Rescue Services, but more and more women are showing interest in the profession and attending recruitment information sessions.

Sarah Barclay is in her 10th year with the department. When Barclay started, there was one other female firefighter, but when she moved on, she recalls a time when she felt like the odd one out. It isn't always easy being a woman in a traditionally male-dominated profession, so she enjoys being a role model. Barclay also serves as the Public Education Officer, and when the local Girl Guides come in for a tour, she’s thrilled that the event is conducted by three women in uniform.

Barclay worked security at Toyota, and the fire suppression team sparked her interest.

"Their passion grew on me," she said, and when she saw an ad for volunteer firefighters in the Tillsonburg paper she cut it out and put it on the fridge. With her husband's encouragement, she attended a recruitment session, became part of the reserve pool, and finally got the call.

As an educational assistant, Jennifer Reid said that “firefighting wasn't really on my radar,” but after learning how to operate heavy equipment with her father’s construction company one summer, she realized her capabilities and began to explore firefighting.

"I did all the training I could leading up to that and it became my passion," she said.

Reid has been with the department for three years, but she started out in Midland as the first female firefighter in their department. She was fortunate to have an excellent mentor who took her under his wing and encouraged her. Reid explained how every aspect of the job is a perfect fit for her: "being compassionate, helping others, being physical on the job, never knowing what you're going into, every day is different and you are constantly preparing yourself."

Emily Wolf recalls a powerful childhood impression: a crew from the Bayham FD arrived in their trucks to build a playhouse in the backyard for her younger sister, which had been provided by the Make A Wish foundation.

"I was in awe of these people who took time out of their day to come and do that;" she said, "that's when I realized that firefighters were real people."

Later, when she was an electrical apprentice, her supervisor was a Malahide firefighter and he often talked about the training and calls that he attended and it sounded like something she wanted to do. She messaged the Facebook group to find out when they would be recruiting, and she and Jenn went through their training together.

"We've all taken different paths," Barclay said, "and we love it here. Tillsonburg is a very progressive fire department."

That doesn't mean that they haven't had to deal with sexism and gender expectations from other fire departments and even the public. Barclay has often been asked if she would be able to get someone out of a burning building.

“Firefighters do not typically carry people out by themselves,” Barclay explained, “we are trained to work in teams for safety and efficiency. While there are one-person carry techniques, they are used only as a last resort if a rescuer is alone and needs to move a victim.”

"Everything's all about teamwork," Wolf said,.

"You're never by yourself, everyone has a partner at the scene." Reid added: "We're structured differently, so we just have to learn to do things a different way. You learn your strengths and your role, and there are some advantages."

Female firefighters, for example, can often fit into smaller spaces than their male counterparts, but they also offer a different perspective when it comes to problem solving, collaboration, and communication.

The industry itself is recognizing the valuable role that female firefighters play. They used to be left with hand-me-down bunker gear, but manufacturers are now making gear specifically for women, sized and tailored to fit.

All three women commented on how much support and encouragement they have received from their male colleagues in the Tillsonburg Fire Service. They feel fully accepted, but they rely on each other as well.

"Having other female firefighters here creates a different dynamic in the fire hall, but also personally," Barclay said, "I have fire sisters."