Give us a slice of your pre-shift routine.
Every day is different for me. If I am home for a long stretch, I do have a routine. I wake before 6 a.m., enjoy my AG1, Americano, and meal-prepped breakfast burrito while catching up on the news and LinkedIn by 7 a.m. I fit in two hours of focused computer work before working out and starting online meetings around 10 a.m., working through until 5 p.m. When I am on the road, which is about 2-3 weeks out of the month, my routine is dictated by the event schedule, my flight itinerary, and when the hotel starts serving breakfast.
Looking back at your journey into the fire service, what advice would you give to young girls or women considering a career in firefighting today? What are the key lessons you’ve learned that you wish someone had told you earlier?
The fire service serves as the community's health and safety net, and its efficient, effective, and equitable operation is central to creating safe and resilient communities. For anyone wishing to make a positive social impact, a career in fire and emergency services is a perfect way to do so.
What does 'sisterhood' or 'allyship' mean to you within the fire service, and how has the support of other women, or male allies, impacted your career and overall experience?
I am the eldest sister of four and the eldest granddaughter of 20, so in the workplace I often find myself playing the ‘older sister’ role, supporting younger or junior ranked women. A few years ago, a deputy chief from one of our accredited departments was retiring in her mid-40s due to a medical issue. When she appeared before the accreditation commission, just before her retirement, she reflected on her career and thanked those that supported her growth and development. I was honored to be included in that list. Having known her when she was a firefighter and witnessing her meteoric rise to leadership due to her skills and abilities was truly fulfilling. My role was nothing more than that of a kind and patient ear, but to know that it impacted her made all the difference. I do appreciate every opportunity I have with my female colleagues to ‘be a girl.’ I would be remiss to not recognize my numerous male colleagues who have served as allies. As soon as my selection as CEO of CPSE was announced, the executive director of a state firefighters' association I had previously worked with at the International Code Council shared the email of my selection with his entire database, commenting that he was confident I would do well in the role. That type of endorsement by senior male colleagues when you are not ‘in the room’ is a tremendous support. I have appreciated the opportunity to lament my period cramps or discomfort with an upcoming mammogram appointment with certain male colleagues, who in turn will share that important women in their lives also struggle with these daily inconveniences. The board, commission, staff, contractor, and volunteer teams at CPSE are an exceptional group of people who strive for everyone to belong regardless of their personal demographics. I’m lucky to work in such a supportive environment.
The fire service, like many professions, is constantly evolving. What advancements or shifts within the fire service - whether in technology, training, or culture - do you believe are most beneficial for supporting and empowering women in the field, and what still needs to change?
Data and technology are major drivers for the fire service today. However, when I examine the number of women in data and technology spaces within the fire service compared to those in training or health and safety, the difference is vast. Women have an opportunity to enhance their role and visibility by upskilling on data and technology. Their keen analytical minds are a perfect fit for this segment of the industry.