'Women on Fire' is a new initiative meant to help women get into emergency service jobs is getting its start in Amherstburg.
Tecumseh firefighter Donna Desantis created the initiative that's meant to provide encouragement, guidance and support to women interested in firefighting, policing or paramedic positions.
Desantis says one of the biggest hurdles for many women is the physical component required to be hired as a first responder. She wants young women to know they can pass the physical testing and the event in Amherstburg will help them prepare.
"We'll be showing them that there are women in the service already doing these jobs and we can provide some tips and techniques we have and some things that we've learned along the way," she says. "We want to share our experiences with other women."
Desantis is the only female firefighter in Tecumseh and she says only 3% of firefighters are women — she wants to see that number go up.
"The more diverse your department is with women or minorities, the better you're going to be able to serve and connect with your community," says Desantis.
Stacey Shepley is a Captain with Essex-Windsor Emergency Medical Services. She hopes just being there to show what can be done is enough encouragement for women to chase their dreams. "Being a role model for other females just to show them there's the potential of you doing what you want to do and you don't have to think about it in a gender factor," she says.