Prince Albert Fire Department hires 1st female firefighter

The Prince Albert Fire Department (PAFD) is getting ready to welcome its first female firefighter on Nov. 30, according to the chief.

Fire chief Jason Everett said the position is for a nine-month term to fill in for the absence of one of the department’s full-time staff.

“Once there’s an opening or an opportunity – a permanent position — then that would be extended to her if all is working out,” Everett said.

Everett added the new employee excelled during the recruitment process, leading to the decision to hire her.

“We had a number of candidates try out for basically the short list, right across Canada,” said Everett. “She was one of the candidates that came in and tested for the department and she excelled at all aspects of the process, so it was a good fit.”

While this will be the first female firefighter with the PAFD, a practicum position was recently made available to a female student from Lakeland College.

“We want to make sure that our department is representative of the community,” said Everett, “And we want to make sure that all genders are welcome in the fire service.”

Everett said all members are on board with bringing in a female firefighter.

“They are very supportive of a female coming into the department and I’m sure she’s going to be setting the bar,” said Everett, “In the future we’re going to see more females.”

While firefighting is typically a male-dominated profession, Everett said females are more than capable of doing the job and he sees no reason why there shouldn’t be females in the department.