Grace Cuenin isn’t usually part of the Henrico Division of Fire’s Engine 13 unit. However, when the team needed to temporarily fill a space on a recent shift, it happened to be her turn to join.
Cuenin worked with fellow firefighters Michelle Greep and Nichole Beall for the entirety of their 24-hour shift two weeks ago. The next day, the department realized it had just witnessed its first all-female team — by accident.
“Them being together wasn’t planned,” said Henrico Fire Chief Anthony McDowell. “It just happened that way.”
Despite the fluky nature, the occurrence affirmed the success the department has had in recruiting and retaining female firefighters, McDowell said.
“We’ve made specific efforts to recruit in the community. ... The women we’ve hired as a group are impressive individuals,” McDowell said. “It was just sort of a milestone for us.”