It wasn’t long ago when the sight of a female firefighter would be a rare occurrence and cause a variety of reactions. Not so different than the sight of a female police officer or a female fighter jet pilot.

Thankfully, those days are long gone, the way of the 8-Track stereo player, zoot suits and dance cards. 

Now, there are more than 6,000 female firefighters in the United States.

Warwick can brag about having five of the best.

 Lead by trailblazer Christine Squeo who served for 20 years and retired in 2010, to new recruit Cassandra Butts who is currently in the Training Academy, virtually all the women hold an overriding (and very respectful) request: “don’t treat us any differently!” And they mean it.

Sitting down with four of the five female firefighters at Station 1 (Apponaug) recently, I couldn’t help but admire the apparent love for their jobs, and respect for their commanding officers.

You could also not help but appreciate the diversity of circumstances that lead them to become one of Warwick’s bravest. 

Jenny Velan was a Physical Education and Health teacher in Cranston at Immaculate Conception School.

Meghan Vittorioso was a Providence Police Officer who graduated from a recent Academy.

Stephanie Gonsalves worked at Stop & Shop, as well as a private ambulance company.

Cassandra Butts, who as mentioned is in the Training Academy (and speaks with disarming Military politeness) was in home health care and served seven years in the Army National Guard.

 They, along with Victoria Bellevance, who graduated from the 2016 Academy, are among the 192 firefighters that service and protect the residents of Warwick with valor. 

It was apparent the job has some challenges, starting with the Academy itself, which tests the recruits in both classroom and agility training, lasting eighteen weeks.

That training and those tests are gender blind.

Asked what was the hardest part of the agility tests, Jenny was quick to smile and answer “the dummy drag”, which requires recruits in training to drag a 225 pound dummy one-hundred feet.

They also are required to complete a difficult obstacle course, carrying 50 pounds of weights, in less than eight minutes.

 I’m sure you are curious as I was concerning Meghan’s road from the Providence Police Department to the Warwick Fire Department.

Asked about it she simply said, “While working for the Providence Police I also served in the Air National Guard in the Crash Fire Rescue. I fell in love with the job and found an even bigger brotherhood and sisterhood in the Fire Department.”

Stephanie always wanted to get into the health care field (her mom is a nurse) and during “Ride Time” with Firefighters “fell in love with the profession.”

 Being a firefighter, though, does present some rather unique challenges, such as the work schedule, which is 24 hours on, followed by two days off. Then 24 hours on, followed by four days off.

Certainly challenging for a young mom with two young children like Jenny, who simply says, “As long as you have a patient spouse, it’s ok.” She continued, “no one likes to be away from their family, but that’s the job.”

They were upfront about being nervous their first day on the job but were well-prepared to tackle what on occasion is one of the most dangerous jobs in the world.

They even mixed in some funny stories, like when they pull up in a rescue truck, and hear comments like “are you driving this thing?” Or when the department didn’t’ have weighted vests and gloves to fit them, so they “just duct-taped them to us.”

They all agreed on one thing however, and that is “we need more women!”

Unfortunately, according to Stephanie, women generally see the profession as intimidating. Noting, “Christine set the way. Everyone has different personalities.” Meghan added, “we come from different backgrounds, but we all respect the service.”

Most of their time is spent on EMS (Emergency Medical Services) calls, on the Rescue Trucks (they are all certified). Something that seems to be more and more required in this pandemic world. 

So, if you are thinking about joining a profession that is a brotherhood and sisterhood like no other, you will find a welcome mat at the Warwick Fire Department.

The women there are no different from the men. They are proud to wear the uniform. They also welcome the opportunity for advancement. 

Who knows, we may see a female Fire Chief in the not-too-distant future. It wouldn’t be surprising.

Chief Nancy Allen is reported to be the first female Fire Chief in the United States, in the 1930’s and 1940’s, leading the Cedar Hill Volunteer Fire Department.

She excelled in not only firefighting and single-handedly forming the volunteer fire department, but also in all things forest protection and preservation.

And by the way, the Cedar Hill Volunteer Fire Department was located in the Cowesett section of Warwick.