”You only got promoted because they need a woman.”
It wasn’t the first time I’d heard it, and it probably won’t be the last.As a woman in the fire service, I had grown accustomed to the unspoken (and sometimes spoken) belief that I hadn’t earned my promotion. I had been given it. Even after decades in the field, multiple promotions, and the respect of my peers, those words still had the power to make me pause and question myself.
That’s imposter syndrome. And if you’re a female firefighter, chances are, you’ve felt it, too.
Imposter syndrome is the persistent feeling of not being good enough, smart enough, or experienced enough, despite clear evidence to the contrary.
It shows up as self-doubt, the fear of being “found out,” or an inability to internalize accomplishments.While it affects people across all professions, it hits especially hard in environments where representation is scarce, like the fire service.
You’d think surviving the academy, dragging charged hose lines, earning certifications, or balancing motherhood and 24-hour shifts would convince us otherwise.
But instead, many of us shrink in meetings, second-guess decisions, or brush off praise with, “I just got lucky.”
That, my sisters, is the lie of imposter syndrome.
So why does it hit us harder?
The fire service wasn’t built for us; it was built without us. And while that’s changing (slowly), the legacy of that exclusion lingers.
From the moment we step into the firehouse, we’re often expected to prove we belong. Not once, but over and over again.
Every call, every decision, and every leadership opportunity becomes a test we must pass,while some of our male counterparts are assumed to be competent just by showing up.
There’s also the double bind:be tough enough to handle the job, but not so assertive that you’re labeled difficult. Be confident, but not bossy. Be friendly, but not flirtatious. This constant tightrope walk is exhausting and a perfect breeding ground for imposter syndrome.
It doesn't help when we’re “the only” one on a shift, a crew, or in a class. Isolation magnifies self-doubt. When you don’t see anyone who looks like you,it’s easy to wonder if you were a mistake, an exception, or a token.
Imposter syndrome often hides in plain sight.
Self-doubt might look like triple-checking your reports even though you’ve done it a hundred times. It may also show up in your refusal to speak up or offer suggestions during meetings because you’re unsure if your suggestion is good enough,even though your experience says otherwise.
Discounting accomplishments is another symptom.
It may show up as you giving credit to everyone else when, in fact, it is your accomplishment. You might even compare yourself constantly, assuming others are more capable, despite your own strong track record.
If any of this feels familiar, you’re not alone. These thoughts are common but they’re also untrue.
Imposter syndrome doesn’t mean you’re weak, it means you’re human.
Unfortunately, as women, we don’t have time to wait for the fire service to evolve. We must step into our own power and greatness and help create a culture where the next generation doesn’t question if they belong.
So, to every female firefighter doubting her place in the firehouse:lace up those boots, straighten that helmet, and take up space.
You’ve earned it.
4 Way to Fight Imposter Syndrome
-Name It To Tame It- Call it what it is. The inner voice of “I’m not good enough” is imposter syndrome talking, not fact. Recognizing the pattern is the first step in breaking it. -Document Your Wins - Keep a confidence file. Every time you succeed, write it down. On the tough days, go back and remind yourself of who you are and what you’ve done. -Speak Kindly - If someone on your shift made a mistake or was struggling with confidence, would you call them a fraud? Of course not. You’d encourage them, remind them of their strengths, and tell them to shake it off. Start doing that for yourself, too. Self-talk is powerful. -Find Your Tribe - You’re not the only one feeling this way, even if it feels like it. Seek out other women in the fire service, in your department or across the country. Join networks, attend conferences, or just grab coffee with someone who gets it. Having a support system isn’t just comforting, it’s essential. /line break/ Mentorship matters, too. I credit so much of my growth to mentors (both male and female) who saw something in me even when I didn’t. If you can’t find a mentor, be one. There’s always someone coming up behind you who needs to know she’s not alone and that she belongs.
