In 2006, I attended my first Women in Fire Service Conference. I had only been in the fire service a few years and, until then, I hadn’t heard of this organization – or any others dedicated to supporting women in navigating their careers in the fire service. So there I was, in Arizona, traveling alone for the first time, unsure of what to expect.What I found was enlightenment, encouragement, and confidence.
On the very first day, I was sitting at breakfast by myself when another woman walked up, sat down, and struck up a conversation. It wasn’t small talk – she asked questions about me. She wanted to know who I was, what I hoped to gain, and then shared advice about the week ahead: which sessions would be most valuable, how to make the most of the experience, and how to reach her if I needed anything. Wow. Just wow. That had never happened to me before. In that moment, my anxiety faded, replaced by excitement.
I knew immediately that I needed this organization.I needed a network of women who could mentor me, push me, and support me. I became a member and attended conferences year after year. As more women joined my department, they came along, too – becoming members, participating in events, and building their own connections. Each conference taught me something new and left me with more friends and allies than I had before.
In time, I wanted to do more. I joined the board as a trustee, learning about how the organization operates, how projects are developed, and how funding is secured.I was in awe of the women I worked alongside and the impact they were making – not just for me, but for the fire service as a whole. This was the group that kept me motivated, challenged, and inspired to stay in the fire service.
Fast forward to today: Women in Fire has grown, evolved, and rebranded, but its heart remains unchanged.We are here to support, mentor, and empower every woman in the fire service – and every woman who dreams of joining. We are also here for departments, helping them build cohesive, diverse, and resilient workforces.
Our board members represent regions across the country, hold ranks from firefighter to chief, and bring a rich mix of experiences and cultural backgrounds. They serve on boards and committees throughout the fire service world – including IAFC’s Women Fire Chiefs Council, CPSE, NVFC, Science Alliance, and CRACKYL broadening the reach and impact of our mission.
Today, Women in Fire continues to thrive.We provide mentoring through our online platform, pursue projects on reproductive health, recruitment, and retention, and offer an expanding library of resources on our website. And of course, we continue to host the conferences that bring us together, inspire us, and propel us forward.
Women in Fire is not just an organization – it is a movement, a community, and a source of strength. And it will continue to be a vital presence in the fire service for years to come.
