Stow, MA -- Melissa Lelievre says she is proud to be Waltham's first female firefighter, but at the academy and to her co-workers, the 23-year-old is just one of the guys.
Lelievre, a 1999 Waltham High School graduate, is one of four Waltham recruits counting down the days until Class 165 graduates from the state firefighting academy in Stow.
The ceremony is set for Friday, Nov. 19.
"As the weeks are coming to an end, everything is coming together," said Lelievre. "It's good, it's exciting. I'm definitely proud to be the first woman."
Lelievre is now finishing the 11-week academy with three of her new brothers, soon-to-be firefighters Mark O'Neil, Damon Ferranti and Brendan Walsh.
Ferranti, 27, worked at Fidelity Investments for almost five years before pursuing his dream of becoming a firefighter.
"I knew that (working at Fidelity) wasn't what I wanted to do," he said. "My parents were really nervous at first, but they know I'm enjoying myself. They know I'm happy."
The new recruits spent Thursday doing hands-on training at the academy, learning to carry unconscious victims down a ladder, how to decontaminate a fellow worker after dealing with a hazardous situation and how to find their way around a pitch-black building.
"It's been a long process," said Walsh, whose great uncle is a firefighter. "I figured I'd give it a try, and I love it."
Lelievre said everyone in the academy has their strong points and the men she is training with have been "really good and extremely supportive."
It's her sisters that think she's crazy.
"My sisters are extremely supportive, but they think I'm crazy."
The upper echelon of the fire department say they are just proud to have quality firefighters coming in -- male or female.
"She's never complained. I told her from the beginning that she wouldn't be treated any differently, and that's the way she wants it," said Deputy Fire Chief Mike Grigorakos.
"They don't soften the training. We train firefighters. We don't care if you're male or female, we're just looking for quality firefighters."
That's just what Grigorakos said Waltham is getting in the city's four newest "rookies."
According to Walsh, everyone's a number -- 21 (Lelievre), 12 (Ferranti), 32 (O'Neil) and 42 (Walsh).
"They don't cut you any breaks," said Walsh. "Up here, you're a number."
Lelievre, Walsh, O'Neil and Ferranti spent a month on the department before entering the academy. They were each hired on June 6 and are on probation until that day in 2005.
"I can't wait to get back," Lelievre said Thursday, her face smudged with soot. She said she did not know which station she will be assigned to.
According to Grigorakos, having a woman in the firehouse will take a little getting used to, but he is not worried.
"She's proven herself, and she's never wavered," he said.
Ferranti says he also has faith in himself and the job O'Neil, Walsh and Lelievre are doing.
"She's gonna make it, we're all gonna make it," he said.
Grigorakos said the process to become a firefighter -- "one of the most coveted jobs in the country" -- is a rigorous one.
A candidate first fills out an application with the state and is called in to take a test, one that examines general knowledge and observation skills. Candidates then go through a physical agility test before they are granted interviews in different cities and towns. A psychological test follows.
"We want people who are quick on their feet," Grigorakos said.
He said it is an eight-month process from the time the fire department asks Civil Service for a list of candidates to the time they are hired.
"Then after that you are not out of the dark. You have to make it through the academy," Grigorakos said.
Walsh said the academy is a lot of work, and he has trouble getting out of bed some mornings, but he knows it's all worth it.
"We all knew we wanted this job," said Ferranti. "We're not heroes, we're just doing our jobs."
When Detective Lt. Brian Navin joined the Waltham police force in 1980, there were no woman in the department. Today, out of 140 officers on the force, 11 are women. There are also three female cadets.
"After a while, it gets to be nothing," Navin said of working with women in what used to be considered a man's job.
