Recently four of our female firefighters attended the 3rd annual women's Firefighting training at the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy in Lewistown Pa. All 4 women are from Limerick Township. Karen Bolonski, Lisa Rumler, and Stephanie Rumler are firefighters with Linfield Fire Co. and Patty Coin is a member of the Limerick Fire Co. They spent the weekend taking a 16 hour Pennsylvania State Fire Academy local level course on Forcible Entry.
The course was designed to provide a better understanding of building construction as it relates to the firefighting task of forcible entry. It covered opening techniques and the use of tools for a save and quick access into a structure. This particular course allowed for additional training that the local fire schools do not offer.
The weekend also offered a 16 hour structural burn session with an all-female instructional team.
The weekend began Friday evening with a special pre-conference course, "Courage to be Safe - So Everyone Goes Home." This is a new 3 hour program offered by the Office of the State Fire Commissioner and the National Fallen Firefighter Foundation.
Pennsylvania leads the nation in firefighter line of duty deaths. This program offers information on the cause of firefighter deaths and finding the solutions to reduce those numbers.
An Ice Breaker was also held that evening. The Female Firefighters gathered from all across the state and were able to mingle. While getting to know other female firefighters, the local group discovered that all Fire Companies are not created equal. In the year 2005 there is still discrimanation against women firefighters in some fire companies.
Saturday morning began with a short presentation by Battalion Chief Colleen Walz. Chief Walz is a 17 year veteran of the Pittsburg Fire Department. She spoke on her first 2 years as Pennsylvania’s only career Chief Officer.
Saturday evening, a banquet was held at Lewistown Recreational Park. The keynote speaker was Joyce Berry from Edinboro, PA, Professor Emeritus, Edinboro state University. Joyce spoke about her 4 decades in the fire service. In the early 1970's Joyce became Pennsylvania's first female fire chief (Edinboro VFD) and the first female local level instructor.
Sunday morning began with a memorial service for fallen women firefighters from Pennsylvania and the U.S. Pennsylvania has had 2 women die in the line of duty. Patricia Conroy (Pittsburg Fire Dept) and Kathryn M. Hippensteel (New Oxford Fire Dept.)
The weekend was hot, humid and hard work. The training was intense and challenging at times. The female firefighters never gave into the elements or the training. As they say: If you can't handle the heat, say out of the kitchen. These women not only can handle the heat they now can forcibly enter your kitchen if the need arise.
Fire Commissioner Ed Mann and Pa State Fire Academy curriculum specialist Rita Wessel put out one last challenge to the women who attended the training. The challenge was to increase the number of female firefighters at next years training. The state is dedicated to support women in the fire service.
Next year's training will be held in April instead of August. The Ladies of Limerick Township have taken up the challenge and are devoted to getting the word out to all female firefighters in the local area. Information will be sent to the area fire companies as the training gets closer.
Any women presently in the fire service or thinking of entering the fire service may contact the women of Limerick Township at:
Female_Firefighters@LinfieldFire.com
The fire service is a fiercely male culture. The Ladies of Linfield and Limerick are grateful that they feel totally supported by their officers and fellow firefighters. But they also know that this is not the case in all fire companies. For that reason female firefighters must work and train together.
Many women in the fire service feel it is not necessary to train with all women. They feel that they should train alongside the men. Without a doubt that is important. It should be done on a weekly basis. But remember women, you joined the fire service to help and protect. That not only means to help out a stranger, it means to reach out and grab the hand of a sister firefighter who may need a little help.
For any additional information please contact: Karen L. Bolonski (610-495-5411)
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On Sunday October 30th, the
Linfield Fire Company held it's annual Halloween party for the local
children. As usually the little trick or treaters did not disappoint the
crew. They showed in all shapes and sizes.
