A historic milestone for Redwood Meadows Emergency Services as it celebrated its first all-female duty crew in the organization's 46-year history over the weekend.

Fire Chief Rob Evans said it turned out to be a slower weekend for the crew but it's one they'll always remember. 

"It was a very slow weekend for our department and I was all ready with my camera to take pictures to document everybody working and unfortunately, they just did a bunch of training around the hall and normal chores, that type of thing."

"It was a really proud moment for the department."

“RMES proactively recruits for all forms of diversity within our membership including (but not limited to) age, gender, culture, sexual identity, lived experiences and profession”, said Evans. “I couldn’t be prouder of this history-making group of women and am so grateful for their significant contributions to our department and the community.”

The six ladies bring a wealth of knowledge and experience with them said Evans. 

"These women are great. I mean, Captain Evans has 32 years experience right up to Bethany who is less than a year on that team. It's been a long time coming, we've always had women on the department but not this percentage of women."

Redwood Meadows

The all-female duty crew included:

  • Fire Captain/Primary Care Paramedic J. Evans
  • Fire Administration Officer/CISM Lead A. Archambault
  • Pump Operator/Firefighter/Primary Care Paramedic S. Starratt
  • Pump Operator/Firefighter/Primary Care Paramedic P. Forsyth
  • Firefighter/Rope Technician R. Stone
  • Probationary Firefighter B. Zabel

RMES, a professional volunteer fire department, has 31 members, of which six (19 per cent) are female.

The all-female duty crew at Redwood Meadows Emergency Services boasts over 50 years of combined experience and expertise.