Cadie-Marie Stapleton, 18, of Galena, has changed the course of history, becoming the first female volunteer firefighter with the Galena Fire Department since its establishment in 1877.
Ever since Cadie-Marie was a young girl, she dreamed of following in her family’s footsteps in hopes of becoming a volunteer firefighter. Now, she can call that dream a reality.
“It’s exciting,” Cadie-Marie said. “I’ve waited so long for it, and it’s finally happened.”
She serves alongside her father, Lt. Chad Stapleton, and older brother, Cade, 21, at the department. Her family lives in an apartment building connected to the fire station, and she said firefighting is all she has ever known. “I’ve lived here since I was 4, and I’ve grown up around it,” Cadie-Marie said. “My grandpa, dad and brother are firefighters. I wanted to continue that family tradition and help the community.”