That was the message from Chicago Fire Commissioner Bob Hoff to the International Association of Women in Fire and Emergency Services on Monday morning.
The leadership conference is being held in conjunction with the International Association of Fire Chiefs' (IAFC) annual event.
Hoff, who worked his way up through the ranks to commissioner, described the Chicago Fire Department as diverse. "I see us as all blue because we do the same job," he said, adding that it's essential that crews work together always.
Cheryl Horvath, IAWFES president, said she's proud that association members are becoming more involved with national fire service organizations.
Partnering with the IAFC has helped strengthen the organization. Over the next few days, women will have the opportunity to participate in a myriad of leadership training courses taught by some of the nation's fire service experts.
Horvath, operations division chief for the Northwest Fire District in Tucson, Ariz., said there are women with great potential.
That valuable input needs to be shared to "make this great profession better."
Mary Beth Michos, IAFC Deputy Executive Director, told the crowd that it's important for them to step up to take the training to be the leaders in their departments.
In the next few years, more than 50 percent of the current chiefs will be retiring. What bothers her is that she's not seeing many women replacing them.
Michos, who held leadership positions in Montgomery County, Md. and Prince William County, Va., said that at the IAFC in the past 18 months, about 25 percent of those appointed to task forces or to other duties have been women and other minorities.
She encouraged them to take every advantage of the training and networking over the next few days.
Acting U.S. Fire Administrator Glenn Gaines said he believes women have a great deal to offer the fire service. He said he understands they are still in a male-dominated industry, but said it's important that they continue to get the education to succeed.
He said the USFA is truly interested in the health and safety of the nation's firefighters.
The USFA is currently involved in a cancer study that will follow 18,000 firefighters for five years. "We all know there's a relationship (between cancer and firefighting) now we should be able to prove it."
Gaines added that the women and men at the USFA are keeping tabs on things so responders will be kept abreast of changes.
He praised the women for what they do to protect their communities.
Susan Nicol | News Editor
Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.
