Women’s History Month

Until recently, firefighting has been considered a man’s job. But that’s been changing. In the past twenty years the ranks of female firefighters have grown in the U.S. from 2% to 11%.

Women firefighters have proven that they are just as capable as men of doing the strenuous and dangerous work of fighting fires. And they have reaped the satisfaction of serving people at their times of greatest need and becoming part of a team that always has each other’s backs.

Aston Township Fire Department celebrates its women volunteers—those who fight fires and those who serve in the administrative and leadership roles that make firefighting possible. Here are two of their stories:

Sara Walters “Brings Calm to Chaos”

As a young girl, Sara Walters dreamed of becoming a firefighter. At 15, she joined the Aston Township Fire Department (“ATFD”) as a Cadet Firefighter and at 35 just received Aston’s Volunteer Life Membership Award for her 20 years of firefighting service.

When Walters joined the ATFD, she believes the men had doubts that she was up to the job. But almost immediately they saw how hard she worked and what she could do, and she never a problem fitting in.

Walters has always been drawn to helping people in crisis and “bringing calm to chaos.” A self-described adrenaline junky, she has done everything from “comforting people at accident scenes to pulling them out of burning houses.”

A few years ago, Sara was on a call to rescue a father and his two young daughters—aged 3 and 5—in their car stuck in a stream with a strong current during a thunderstorm. She and her partner, Assistant Chief Ken Dawson, had to pull a ladder straight out 60 to 70 feet to reach the car. Sara carried the two girls across the ladder to safety, all the while singing them songs from Frozen to keep them calm and distracted.

“One of the best parts of firefighting,” says Walters, “is becoming part of a family that takes care of each other.” When she was 16, her mother became ill with ALS, the ATFD volunteers brought meals and supported the family in any way they could. When Walters finished high school, she thought her mother wouldn’t be able to come to her graduation. The ATFD firefighters brought her to her graduation—it meant the world to her and her mother.

Walters’ advice to other women considering firefighting, “don’t be afraid—the team trains you, pays for your certification classes, and gives you all the tools you need. You just show up and work hard.”

Lizzie Brees, Social Leader, Encourages Women to Join the ATFD Team

Lizzie Brees brings pride and passion to her work as a volunteer social leader at the Aston Township Fire Department. Brees’ husband, Dan, is a firefighter and lieutenant there, but she is drawn to the roles that keep the department humming. And she loves it.

She recently completed a two-year term as the Secretary of the ATFD’s governing board and ran the Fire Prevention program and now serves on numerous committees, including social media, new member, and the sunshine.

As part of the new member committee, she screens and interviews prospective volunteers, answers their questions, explores their interests and, once they join, makes sure that they are adjusting and connecting to the Department’s social activities of which there are many, including weekly family dinners, breakfasts, and community gatherings. Brees says, “Everyone feels connected, no one is lonely here.”

Brees is especially pleased to welcome and support female firefighters and other volunteers. She is delighted with the upsurge in female high school students joining the ATFD as Junior Firefighters. “I want them to know that Aston isn’t a ‘boys club’—and that they will be part of a family that always be there them.”

“There are roles for everyone here,” she says, “if you bring your skills to the station, we’ll put them to good use. Every role is important to meeting our mission.”

Aston Township Fire Department’s Chief Michael Evans agrees. “If you’re looking to make a difference and join team members who always have your back, Aston Township Fire Department is the perfect choice! No matter your background, the ATFD has a spot for you,” he stresses.

All training and gear are provided at no cost. Visit www.joinastonfire.com