“Ignite Influence: Empowering Women to Lead, Build, and Break Barriers in the Fire Service”
This session is designed to inspire, equip, and empower women in the fire service to take their seat at the table—not just as participants, but as influential leaders. Drawing from over two decades of frontline experience as a paramedic and senior leader in one of the nation's busiest fire departments, I will share strategies for navigating a male-dominated profession with confidence, creating programs that make an impact, and becoming a voice that shapes culture and change from within.
Drawing on real-world experience, proven strategies, and success stories, this presentation offers attendees practical tools for recruiting women, creating inclusive training environments, and launching outreach programs that inspire the next generation. We'll explore the unique barriers women face—both physical and psychological—and how fire departments can build supportive frameworks that foster success from application to academy.
Attendees will learn how to establish program that empower women from the ground up—covering logistics, partnerships, curriculum design, and marketing—to create community-based initiatives that spark interest, build confidence, and lay the foundation for future success in the fire service.
Session Breakdown:
1. Opening: The Power of Presence (20 mins)
My personal journey: From EMT to Deputy Fire Chief
Navigating leadership as a woman in uniform
The importance of representation and resilience
2. Owning Your Influence (20 mins)
Understanding informal vs. formal power
How to lead from where you are
Cultivating confidence and assertive communication
3. Creating Programs That Matter (20 mins)
How to identify gaps and opportunities in your department
Building support and allies
Examples of successful initiatives (mentorship, wellness, recruitment, community engagement)
4. Leading with Purpose (20 mins)
Staying mission-driven under pressure
Turning setbacks into influence
Mentorship: lifting others as you climb
5. Q&A and Open Dialogue (25 mins)
Engage the audience in conversation
Address challenges and brainstorm solutions
Encourage continued connection beyond the session
