Even in the 21st century, people are sometimes surprised to see one of Falconís two female firefighters in the driverís seat of a Falcon Fire Protection District fire engine. But for Kelley DeLaney and Amy Webb, it is all in a dayís work.DeLaney, a Colorado native, was born into a firefighting family. Her father was both a volunteer and career firefighter, and her mother served as a volunteer firefighter. As teens, DeLaney and her brothers were active in a Fire Explorer program, which allows 12 to 18-year-olds to participate in training, community events and limited emergency responses with their local fire department. ìI truly canít remember a time of my life that we werenít involved with the fire department,î DeLaney said. ìI really donít know anything different.îDeLaney spent six years as a Fire Explorer. After graduating from high school, she earned her Emergency Medical Technician certificate, became a volunteer firefighter/EMT for the Wellington Fire Protection District (Colorado), and went on to earn an associateís degree in fire science and technology from AIMS Community College in Greeley. DeLaney began volunteering for the Falcon Fire Protection District in 2012 and was hired as a part-time firefighter/EMT in May 2014. In May 2017, DeLaney was hired full-time at FFPD and promoted to the rank of driver operator. Her father, who was seriously injured in a 2016 ATV accident, had retired from his fire department just the week prior to her promotion ceremony. At the ceremony, he pinned her new badge. ìThis was a very proud day in my family,î DeLaney said. ìIt was as if the torch was passed.îWebb followed a different path to becoming a firefighter. Growing up in California, she didnít know anyone who was a firefighter, and no one in her family worked in the fire service. A swimming scholarship took her to Toledo, Ohio, where she pursued a Bachelor of Arts in social work. While going to school, she worked as a nanny for a family whose father was a firefighter/paramedic. He loved his job and encouraged Webb to give the fire service a try. After applying at five different fire departments, she became the first woman to pass the Candidate Physical Abilities Test; and was subsequently hired by the High Point Fire Department in North Carolina.ìI had no clue what firefighting entailed,î Webb said. ìNine months through a hard academy taught me a new world I love.î She specialized in water rescue and recovery, and stayed with that department for almost three years before moving to Colorado. ìI chose Falcon Fire due to the welcoming department it is,î she said. ìI walked in for an EMS open house and left with an application and information about changing my certifications to Colorado.î She started as a volunteer with FFPD in August 2008, was hired part-time in August 2010, and became a full-time firefighter/EMT just a month later. Webb was also promoted to driver operator in May 2017.National Fire Protection Association statistics show that 7.3 percent of firefighters in the U.S. were female in 2015. At FFPD, women fill just two of the 32 full-time, part-time and reserve firefighter positions. However, women have served as firefighters since the departmentís inception in 1975.ìThe fire service isnít for everyone,î DeLaney said. ìIt takes a unique type of person.î Firefighting is a physically and mentally demanding occupation that ranks second on the CareerCast.com ìMost Stressful Jobs of 2017î survey. (Serving in the military ranked first.) Webb described firefighting as fast-paced, requiring a high level of endurance. ìYou need to be able to think critically and work hard for 48 hours in all temperatures,î she said.All firefighters, regardless of size or gender, must be able to perform a variety of arduous tasks such as pulling pressurized hoselines full of water through buildings; carrying, setting and climbing ladders; and using heavy power tools ñ- all while wearing about 50 pounds of personal protective equipment. Both DeLaney and Webb said theyíve had to learn slightly different methods than those used by their male counterparts. Rather than relying on sheer upper body strength, Webb said, ìI have to change the technique a bit to use my legs more.î DeLaney said, ìA lot of what we do has to do with technique and using our bodies to move in a way that is effective and efficient.îTo stay fit, DeLaney trains and competes in Crossfit competitions and recently ventured into Olympic weightlifting meets. Webb runs on her days off in addition to working out at the fire station, where she lifts weights and does more cardio work.Beyond the physical demands of the job, women who work in a male-dominated profession can face other challenges. ìSome males donít think that women can keep up with them, so youíre continually having to ëprove yourselfí when you shouldnít have to,î DeLaney said. However, for both women, fitting into a mostly male occupational culture doesnít seem to be an issue at FFPD. ìThrough my academy, rookie days, part-time and career; I have never felt left out or different from the guys,î Webb said.Although firefighters would rather focus on what they do instead of their gender, both the fire department and the community benefit from having women on emergency crews. ìWomen think on a different track,î DeLaney said. ìThey can bring new and fresh ideas or solutions to a problem.î On medical incidents, she noted that some female patients are more comfortable talking to firefighters and EMS personnel who are women.The job is also rewarding to the firefighters. ìI love helping others,î Webb said. ìI enjoy saving peopleís lives, being there for families when things go well and even when things do not.î DeLaney echoed that sentiment: ìThe fact that on someoneís worst day, or when they have no other options, they call us and we are there to help them.îAdvice for aspiring firefightersDeLaney and Webb have tips for anyone who wants to become a firefighter, especially women. ìWork out and become strong, study and learn,î DeLaney said. ìHave a ëcan doí mindset and donít give up the first time you fail at something. Because trust me, there will be plenty of failures.î She also suggested finding a mentor willing to coach and offer advice through the application and hiring process. ìIf you want it, you can work for it and get there.îWebb recommends training for and obtaining the CPAT certification, which ìwill give you a feeling of how to push your body.î The CPAT is a nationally recognized physical agility test required for FFPD fire academies.Both firefighters said the hard work is worth it. ìIt is an amazing job if you want to help people at their time of need,î Webb said.The Falcon Fire Protection District accepts applications for its reserve (volunteer) firefighter program year-round. For more information, go to http://falconfirepd.org.
