They may not be the first, but the 10 women who make up Clearwater Fire and Rescue’s team are certainly blazing the trail.
The fire department recently highlighted their 10 female fire personnel – or "firemedics," as they call themselves. "I love working with people, I love being that person people call," said Nina Borders, who has been with the department for four years.
According to WomeninFire's website, some 11,000 women in the U.S. work as career firefighters and officers. But women only make up less than five percent of the fire service in America – a startling statistic, but one that Stephanie Nuszkowski doesn’t think about.
"I don’t think every girl can do this job. I also don’t think every guy can do this job," she offered. "I just think it’s person to person and you’re either cut out for it or you’re not."