Celebrating Female Firefighters and EMTs for Women's History Month

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March 08, 2023 12 Comments

It wasn’t always easy.

For generations, the fire service was — officially or unofficially — closed to women. While female firefighters did exist, they were extremely uncommon well into the 20th century.

Of course, it should come as no surprise that pioneering females eventually grabbed their Halligan bars and busted down the doors, pulled down the glass ceilings with their pike poles. Through their skill and tenacity, they have over the last 200 years firmly established themselves in the fire service.

So for Women's History Month, we’re raising our coffee mugs to female firefighters and EMTs everywhere. Working alongside tough, talented, intelligent, and dedicated women who are a credit to our profession is an honor and privilege.

The women we’ve worked with have proven their skill, competence, and courage in the most challenging situations. They’ve brought unique perspectives into this once male-dominated industry.

Female firefighters and EMTs have played important roles in departments across the country, in both professional and volunteer capacities, helping innovate, lead, and push the fire service into the future.

And yet, women remain underrepresented.

Women comprise less than 10 percent of firefighters and less than a third of EMTs nationwide. Those numbers are growing, and we look forward to seeing more women make their mark in the industry.

Meet Natalie Adasiewicz: Firefighter/Paramedic and All-Around Awesome

If you follow Fire Dept. Coffee on social media or spend much time on our website, you’re bound to see Natalie Adasiewicz.

She’s a big part of the Fire Dept. Coffee crew. And if you’re looking for an example of a woman doing amazing things in the fire service, then look no further.

Natalie checks all the boxes.

Former Army National Guard combat medic … ✔️

11 years as a city of Rockford firefighter/paramedic … ✔️

Excellent taste in coffee … ✔️

Simply put, Natalie is the real deal. If anyone has any doubts about women's ability to perform the physical duties of a firefighter as well as men, all we have to say is take a look at Natalie.

On top of everything else, she’s been doing Cross-Fit for years, which helps her stay strong, agile and ready to handle any call that comes in. She’s also an instructor at her local Cross-Fit gym.

She’s what you’d call a high achiever, and she is someone that we’d be proud to have by our side in any emergency.

As much as we like to brag on Natalie — because she is truly awesome at what she does — she’s not a unicorn.

You can find extraordinary female firefighters and EMTs holding down important positions all across the country and all around the world.

We’re proud of all they do and all they’ve achieved, and we look forward to seeing their numbers continue to increase as more young women follow in the footsteps of firefighters like Natalie.

10 Responses

Julie moore

March 11, 2025

Thank U4 the beans! ♥️
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Fire Department Coffee replied:
It’s our pleasure! Thank you for your support 😊

mike browning

March 11, 2025

Thank You Ladies
From FDC coffee fan, Emergency Spill Responder and Member for Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary SAR Tech

Mike
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Fire Department Coffee replied:
Thank you, Mike! We appreciate your support and everything you do as part of the Coast Guard Auxiliary. Stay safe, and keep that coffee flowing!

Eva Fitts

March 10, 2025

Thank you from an old retiree and FDC fan.
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Fire Department Coffee replied:
Eva Thank you from the whole FDC Team for your support! Stay caffeinated!

Lucy Domer

March 11, 2025

Thank you to the brave and wonderful members of every Fire Dept we are grateful for all of you
And of course for the greatest coffe ever that anyone can purchase and enjoy. ☕️🚒🔥
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Fire Department Coffee replied:
Hello Lucy Well said! Huge thanks to the incredible women in the fire service and to you for your support! We’re honored to keep you fueled with great coffee. 🔥☕🚒

Michele Millspaugh-Wood

March 11, 2025

firefighter wife 21 years
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Fire Department Coffee replied:
Huge respect to you and your firefighter. Thanks for being part of the fire family!

Stacy Frawley

March 10, 2025

Love love love your incredible wonderful coffees
Just so happy to have found you.
Firefighter’s wife of 26 years and counting !
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Fire Department Coffee replied:
Thank you so much for the love! We’re honored to have your support. Cheers to 26 years of dedication and to many more cups of great coffee!

Gigi

March 10, 2025

Thank you for delicious, caffeine-filled coffee and thank you for supporting those of us who are having a hard time.
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Fire Department Coffee replied:
We’re glad our coffee can bring a little comfort your way. Your support means a lot to us, we are sending good vibes your way, hang in there!

Dolores

March 10, 2025

Woo hooo!! Thank You Wonderful Team…. Most of all for the Dedication and sacrifices!!!

We are all grateful in our Communities!!!

We are united in prayer upholding All the women and men that strive each day to protect us.
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Fire Department Coffee replied:
Dolores Thank you so much for the kind words and support! We’re grateful for our incredible team and for amazing people like you who stand with us. 💖 Happy late women’s day!
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Fire Department Coffee replied:
Thank you! We appreciate your kind words and support!

Robert Price

March 10, 2025

Thank you all for doing what you do for all of us!
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Fire Department Coffee replied:
Thank you so much for the support! We’re grateful for amazing folks like you who inspire us to keep doing what we do!
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Fire Department Coffee replied:
It`s our pleasure! We wouldn’t be able to do all we do without you; we appreciate your support more than we can say!

john kitchen

March 10, 2025

So awesome to see the reconition given , there should be more of it .Natalie sounds like a machine ! I raise my coffee mug to all great women , which is every single one .
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Fire Department Coffee replied:
We couldn’t agree more! Cheers to all the incredible women out there, Natalie included! Thanks for raising your mug with us!
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Fire Department Coffee replied:
Thank you, John! We truly appreciate your kind words and support! Cheers!