After 122 years, Aberdeen FD welcomes first female firefighter
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ABERDEEN, Wash. - For 122 years, fires in Aberdeen have been fought by men. Women applied to become firefighters, but none passed all the tests.
Then came along Monica Myers.
"I went through the same training, and I was the most qualified candidate," she said.
Six years ago, Myers was running a coffee shop and bakery. Now she bears the weight of the firefighting equipment -- all 75 pounds of it. She wants no special treatment.
"Yeah, it's fine. You get used to it. It's my job. Everybody else does it, too," she said.
Myers is a firefighter and a certified paramedic. It's only her second day on the job, but Capt. Isaac Gustafson says Myers is ready. The chief is pleased.
"She may take a little ribbing like we all do when we begin our probationary process, that goes without saying. But she'll do a good job," Chief Dave Carlberg said.
Is there a reason Myers is attracted to public service? Well, maybe. Her husband is the Hoquiam police chief. But instead of applying for one of the four open positions in her husband's department, she found her own calling.
"She's crossed the line; she's on the other side. But you know what? We have cops, because firemen need heroes, too," said her husband Jeff Myers.
Jokes aside, the police chief is beaming.
"Proud of her," he said. "Very proud of her."
Firefighters have a tradition. When a firefighter appears on camera, he or she must treat the team to ice cream. The fire chief says Monica Myers had better reach for her pocketbook. There will be no special treatment.
Then came along Monica Myers.
"I went through the same training, and I was the most qualified candidate," she said.
Six years ago, Myers was running a coffee shop and bakery. Now she bears the weight of the firefighting equipment -- all 75 pounds of it. She wants no special treatment.
"Yeah, it's fine. You get used to it. It's my job. Everybody else does it, too," she said.
Myers is a firefighter and a certified paramedic. It's only her second day on the job, but Capt. Isaac Gustafson says Myers is ready. The chief is pleased.
"She may take a little ribbing like we all do when we begin our probationary process, that goes without saying. But she'll do a good job," Chief Dave Carlberg said.
Is there a reason Myers is attracted to public service? Well, maybe. Her husband is the Hoquiam police chief. But instead of applying for one of the four open positions in her husband's department, she found her own calling.
"She's crossed the line; she's on the other side. But you know what? We have cops, because firemen need heroes, too," said her husband Jeff Myers.
Jokes aside, the police chief is beaming.
"Proud of her," he said. "Very proud of her."
Firefighters have a tradition. When a firefighter appears on camera, he or she must treat the team to ice cream. The fire chief says Monica Myers had better reach for her pocketbook. There will be no special treatment.
I found this piece of news sexually discriminating and demeaning. There are MANY female firefighters. Congrats to her on the new job, but really KOMO? Aren't we beyond seeing gender in the workplace? In the news report last night, the news anchor quoted that she didn't want attention for being a woman, because she went through all the same training and passed the same tests as everyone else. Then he said, her husband is the Chief of Police... was that insinuating that is was how she was hired? By some stroke of power? This article should be in a paper in the mid-west or the south. Not Seattle.
 @Danielle Rye Not in a small town like Aberdeen. That's probably a big deal for them.
Watch out for that "little ribbing!"
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A jury will bankrupt your little city by the estuary for sexual harassment or a "hostile work environment."
Hey, I didn't invent Tort Fest. Don't blame me.
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 @Sid Vishess I doubt those guys are dumb enough to sexually harass the police chief's wife. Your comment seems to assume that all women will claim sexual harassment or that all men will sexually harass women - neither of which is true. Maybe you didn't mean that, but it is the first impression I got from reading what you wrote.
 @two loons No, not all women claim sexual harassment nor do all men perpetrate it.   Problem is, what constitutes "a little ribbing" versus "hostile work environment" is in the eye of the beholder.
Less than 4% of fire fighters are women throughout the U.S. So this is kind of a big deal to everyone who thinks that WA is lagging in statistics.
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http://oaklandnorth.net/2012/03/23/female-firefighters-video-series-draft/
Congrats Ms. Myers! I am in awe of you - I know that I would struggle with the 75 lbs of gear! Not that being a firefighter is easy for anyone. I am inspired and impressed.
She should buy the ice cream at Costco, they have really great ice cream at a great price.
I'm sure she'll do great, and when she's on light duty while pregnant or injured, her job will be covered by overtime.
 @Jeeper What do you mean by your comment?Â
As long as she can do every physical task required of the male firefighters, good for her. She is one in a million then.
That's awesome. As long as women can pass the test, I'm all for it!
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Congrats Monica!