Seeking out female mentors is important in the profession, according to King firefighter Miranda Hussey.
Like many kids, she first wanted to be a firefighter when she was three or four years old because she thought “it looked really cool and exciting so I guess I never really grew out of that.”
One aspect that makes King Fire and Emergency Services stand out is training.
“The fortnightly training is excellent and stays current with modern firefighting techniques. There are also other opportunities throughout the year to take other courses locally plus support for anyone who wants to take additional exterior courses,” she said.
The camaraderie among King volunteers is excellent. Hussey said it’s important because “we have to rely on one another in some tough situations.”
Hussey had no obstacles getting through training with KFES.
She previously went through pre-service at Seneca College. There, she found she had to adjust her fitness training to be more specific for the fitness test used for full-time fighters.
“I have never encountered unequal treatment by fellow firefighters in King.”
Having support from family is key to a volunteer firefighter.
Hussey said her husband is very used to her having to leave suddenly and calmly adjusting plans accordingly.
“After we had our first son, within a couple months he was regularly the one at home with the baby while I ran calls or attended training.”
Hussey has some encouraging words for other female firefighters.
They can expect to encounter some casual sexist attitudes that still persist in society, which is something that surprised her. While the comments aren’t malicious, there are often off-hand comments.
Some top examples she’s encountered include “do you just drive the truck,” “do you just help around the fire hall?”
“You’ll also sometimes feel like a novelty item when someone points you out to a young girl and says something to the effect of ‘not just boys can be firefighters.’”
Hussey also recommends that young firefighters find another female firefighter as a mentor of sorts.
“Even if it’s just for women’s-only issues like questions around pregnancy and firefighting.”
Mark Pavilons is a federally funded Local Journalism Initiative reporter for King Weekly Sentinel
