top of page

Celebrating Women's History Month: Firefighter Sisters

Mar 1

2 min read

1

948

Girls can do anything.  Read that again.  Girls can do anything.

Repeat it, until it resonates.


We are mothers, sisters, wives, girlfriends, best friends, aunts, nieces, and cousins.

We are career firefighters.  

We are volunteer firefighters. 

We are doctors, engineers, lawyers, writers, real estate brokers and EMT’s.


We are Molly Williams, who became the first female firefighter in 1815; a member of the Oceanus Engine Company #11.


We are Emma Vernell, a female firefighter who in the late 1920's, at the age of 50, joined the Westside Hose Company #1, in memory of her husband who died in a LODD (Line of Duty Death).


We are women from the United States and Great Britain that joined the fire service to offset the loss of men that were called into military active duty during World War II.


We are the first female to become a career firefighter in 1974.


For centuries, women continued to slowly shift the needle. In 2018, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) determined 10% of the United States Fire Service included women and slowly, the numbers keep growing.


In August of 2023, six women joined the Putnam County Emergency Services Basic Exterior Fire Operations cohort.  Six women were throwing ladders, donning Full PPE, tying knots, mastering forcible entry, fire suppression and more.  Three of these ladies forged a bond and unbeknownst to even them at the time, they became firefighter sisters.   


They are my firefighter sisters.


Charlotte Brooks, ‘Charlie,’ is a full-time mom, Owner and Principal Broker of House Finch Realty, LLC.   housefinchrealty.com  Charlie is an avid outdoors enthusiast, adventurer, and active interior firefighter-member of the Cold Spring Fire Company No. 1.  Audra Micheli Sichler is also a full-time mom, Owner of Doody Calls, and Wellness Coordinator for Guardian Revival. Doody Calls  Guardian Revival  Audra is an Interior Firefighter with Lake Carmel Fire Department and Lake Carmel Volunteer Ambulance Corps and an EMT in training! These two ladies inspire me.


We are a sisterhood; a connection-based life experience based on mutual respect.  A support system of endless encouragement.  As my journey to IFO continues to unfold, Audra and Charlie are my support system, and my biggest fans.  Together, we memorialize the female firefighters that paved the way for us to do what we love.  Run in when others run out. You can call it what you like, we call it firefighter sisters and I call it family. 


Yes, girls can do anything.  Read that again. 

     










 







Mar 1

2 min read

1

948

bottom of page