Long Beach Swears In First Paid Female Firefighter

LONG BEACH, NY — The city swore in three new firefighters to its paid department this week, including the first paid female firefighter in the city's history.

Firefighters Patrick Cunningham, Catherine Lewis and Tyler Rutter were sworn into duty on March 14 by City Manager Donna Gayden. The recruits will now spend three months at the state Career Fire Academy.

Cunningham has a bachelor's degree from the University of Delaware and previously worked as a paramedic for the FDNY.

Lewis has a bachelor's degree and Master's in education from Colgate University. She is an EMT and CrossFit trainer.

Rutter has worked as a paramedic for the Long Beach Fire Department for six years. He has previous experience as a career firefighter, and holds many EMS and fire department certifications.