GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. — For the first time, a woman is leading the Golden Valley Fire Department.
Chief Bethany Brunsell was sworn in this week and her promotion is quite rare. Across the country, women make up only 9% of all firefighters — and even fewer become chiefs.
"I taught kids how to play the violin and recorder and never imagined that years later I would be a firefighter, much less the fire chief," said Chief Brunsell.
The 47-year-old was a middle school music teacher before making what she calls a second career change, despite never seeing a female firefighter when she was growing up. It helped that she got started in her hometown that had been asking for more on-call firefighters nearly 15 years ago.
"I really didn't think I'd get hired as a firefighter, I didn't think I fit the mold of what my own stereotype of what a firefighter was," said Chief Brunsell. "But then I absolutely fell in love with this job."
She served with two other departments before landing in Golden Valley, making history even back then as the first ranking woman — an officer — but one, still fighting to belong.
"I've been asked if I'm a real firefighter, I've been asked if I had to pass the same physical test that the men have to pass," said Chief Brunsell. "I've been asked if I'm allowed to drive the fire truck, I've been asked if I'm qualified for the job. It's been a lot out there in the general public that treat me differently."
Chief Brunsell says she relies on her teaching skills to educate others about women and firefighting and stays calm rather than let their biases anger her.
"If I can stay calm and be gracious and try to educate them, I think it goes a lot further if I were to let my blood boil and lash out and be angry because that's not going to help change their view of me or women in the fire service," said Chief Brunsell.
There are about 20,000 firefighters in Minnesota and very few are women and even fewer are chiefs. In fact, Brunsell's promotion makes her only the third female fire chief across the state. Nationally, less than 10% of firefighters are women and half of those are chiefs.
But as short-staffed fire departments still need to attract recruits, Chief Brunsell is now leading the charge.
"Seeing someone who looks like you makes it feel a little safer to ask the questions that a lot of women may be nervous about asking a man about," said Chief Brunsell, who is no doubt, destined to make a difference.
"I'm proud to be one of them; I look forward to the day when there's more," said Chief Brunsell.
Right after Chief Brunsell was swore in on Tuesday, the city council proclaimed May 4th as International Firefighters Day — a way to remember a firefighter's sacrifice and thank those who are still serving.
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