The story was made Thursday in a fire station in North Vancouver.
For the first time, one of the district firefighters consisted of a fully female crew.
The four women of the engine 4 responded to several calls on Thursday and although each brings unique skills to the crew, they all share the same passion for work.
They also want to inspire women not to be afraid of entering an area dominated by men.
“Awareness of little girls that it is an option if it is something that feels passionate,” said Captain Carla Penman of the district of North Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services.
“I never even thought about it until I was a teenager and a firefighter suggested it to me. He said, “I think you would be good on this subject”. “
“I think it has changed now because I have never seen any women on the firefighter pass when I was little. But now, if there is someone in the streets right now, they see four girls in the truck.”
Penman was the first firefighter woman ever hired on the north shore.
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She approaches her retirement after 28 years of service and qualified the fully female crew a complete moment of circle.
“Things are changing,” she said.
“There are, you know, more and more women who are hired, and I think that more girls grow up with a passion for fire fighting, rather than, you know, not being aware that it was an option for them. So it’s great. Women have a lot to offer.”
Captain Gillian Hicks told Global News that Penman had paved the way for others.
“She was the first, and she therefore opened the door for the rest of us, and was there for someone to mentor us when we have been hired,” she said.
Although it was a historic day, the crew told Global News that it also seemed normal, in the sense that they had answered calls if necessary and helped those who needed it.
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