Observed annually since 1987, March is Women’s History Month. Traditionally, it is a time to celebrate women’s contribution to history, culture and society. However, modern women continue to make history by filling roles historically associated with men.
Augusta resident Danielle Alex moved to the CSRA from Florida when her husband, Jamaal, got stationed at Fort Gordon approximately 7 years ago.
She made the decision to enter the world of first responders in 2017, after assuming the role of stay-at-home mother to four children who grew to school-age.
“They starting getting older, in school, needed less of me, I guess,” she said. “I’ve always been interested in the emergency services part of it. Once I came to Augusta I learned about the firefighting part of it.”
Augusta Fire/Emergency Management crew members are required to assume a dual purpose, serving as both firefighters and emergency medical technicians.
“I am an advanced EMT, currently in paramedic school,” Alex said of the program she will finish in June. “So you have three different levels, basic EMT, advanced EMT and the highest level is paramedic.”
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Public Information Officer Jason DeHart explained that the fire department offers a 6-month paid training program. Firefighter school consists of classroom and on-hands training. Once recruits become certified as firefighters, they attend EMT school. After earning the basic EMT status, they are assigned to a station. Additional stipends are paid to those who achieve higher levels.
Part of the job description involves the use of equipment like axes and chainsaws and understanding building construction. Alex did not possess much experience in those areas as a stay-at-home mom.
“It was very hard,” Alex said. “The physical aspect to me wasn’t too hard because I was always in physical activities, but it was jumping into a new world I had no clue about.”
DeHart, who joined the department approximately 18 months ago, said Augusta employs 14 female firefighters, including four women currently in training. The new recruits make up the largest training group of females since 2000, the first year women began to join the team.
“Prior to that women could apply, but none of them got hired for whatever reason,” DeHart said. “I can’t speak to that administration. But in 1999-2000, that is when “The millennials,” a group of six women, jumped through the barriers.”
Today, Augusta encourages female inclusion by supplying newer stations with private bedrooms and gender neutral bathrooms. Still, there are approximately 202 male firefighters employed by Augusta.
Alex said as a female in the male-dominated industry, it is important that she is not treated any differently than the men.
“They respect you if you come to work, do your job, just as they are doing their job, and you don’t want any shortcuts and handouts, ” she said of her comrades.
Weight-training and agility tests are routine assessments in the firefighting world. Alex, standing just under 5-feet tall and weighing less than 110 pounds, has no problem keeping up. In fact, she excels.
“She does power-lifting competitions,” Dehart disclosed laughing.
Alex explained she participates in Olympic-style weight-lifting competitions. The last time she competed she “snatched” 135 pounds. She “cleaned and jerked” 170 pounds. She belongs to a weightlifting club in Monroe, Georgia and her next meet is in April. She has won many competitions on both state and national levels. Her dream is to compete in the Olympics. The last time she checked she was ranked fourth in the nation, she said.
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“Some of them are surprised,” she said of her co-workers’ reaction to her weightlifting abilities.
Regardless of her physical strength, Alex has encountered scary situations. During a church fire, a roof caved in on her.
“You never know what you are going up against, until you get there sometimes,” she said.
The fire department offers her plenty of time to juggle the roles of mother, wife, student and weight-lifting competitor. She works a 24-hour shift every third day. The scheduled crew eats meals together. The co-workers become close-knit due to the sharing of living quarters.
“You have to be because every third day you are here with these people,” Alex said. “They become family.”
A higher level of organizational skills, a greater attention to details and the ability to emphasize with victims are assets that women bring to the firefighting table. She encourages younger females to investigate the firefighting career path.
“Do it, don’t be scared,” she said. “Face the challenges head-on, it is fun. It is literally the best job in the world.”
Shellie Smitley is a staff writer for The Augusta Press. Reach her at shellie@theaugustapress.com
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