Many women fighting fires say colleagues’ support crucial
Krystyna Krakowski became a firefighter in Florida at a time when there were few women to work beside or guide her in the service. Twenty years later, she is not only thriving but also recruiting more females into the profession.
Krakowski is one of five women at Palm Beach Gardens Fire Rescue who made department history last year by working an entire shift with no male colleagues – a feat that went viral on social media. She and her team members said they have been able to succeed because of support from the men they work with and by pushing through every challenge that comes their way.
The women noted they are held to the same standards as the men, physically and otherwise, and that the public should be aware that men and women of the department work together to help people.
“I’ve worked super hard to be strong from Day One,” said firefighter Julie Dudley. “I still remember being in an academy and the instructor looking at me going, ‘If you want to do girly push-ups you can,’ and I was like, ‘Excuse me. No, I’m good. I got this.’ ”
The firefighters’ success is notable in a profession so heavily male-dominated, one that has seen numerous lawsuits from women alleging discrimination and sexual harassment in fire departments across the country.
The day they worked the all-woman shift, they were encouraged and cheered on by the men of the Palm Beach Gardens Fire Rescue.
“Even our battalion chiefs sent us a message: ‘Good luck, ladies, all eyes are on you today. Show ’em what you got,’ ” Krakowski said. “It was exciting to say that every position was filled by a female . ... We played every role. We’re capable. We’ve made it.”
Krakowski said she hopes to start seeing even more women join the ranks as instructors.