June 25--Pennie McCarty, the first female firefighter and first paramedic to join the Chehalis Fire Department, was introduced to the Chehalis City Council Monday night.
McCarty, who currently lives in Battle Ground, joined the Chehalis Fire Department last month.
A native of McCall, Idaho, McCarty studied general education at Boise State University and later earned a fire and science degree in Salem, Ore.
Over the past three years, she worked as a paramedic.
"I worked as a paramedic over the last few years until I could find where I wanted to stay and start with the department I want to end my career with," McCarty said.
Riverside Fire Authority Chief Jim Walkowski, who is also serving as a joint chief with the Chehalis Fire Department, said McCarty is the first female hired in the department's history.
She was also hired as the first paramedic, male or female, Walkowski said.
Copyright 2013 - The Chronicle, Centralia, Wash.
