Rising through the ranks
Jennifer LaDue became the first female assistant fire chief in Butler County for the Greenwood Village Fire Department in 2005 and served for three years in that role. That department later merged with four others to become the current Butler Township Volunteer Fire District, where LaDue now serves as a captain.
According to LaDue, it’s rare to see women in the higher ranks of fire service.
“Times are changing, but probably (women) haven’t been around enough to break through. I became assistant chief in less than 10 years, the chief at the time had been there more than 15,” she said.
There has not been a female chief in Butler County’s history. That could be a combination of lack of interest and the challenges of rising through the ranks, LaDue said.
But female participation in fire departments is on the rise, according to Greg Haughey, president of the Butler County Fire Chiefs Association.
“I think women in fire service may be important for us,” he said. “It’s not the good old boys club anymore.”
“We were few and far between when I got started,” LaDue said. “Back when I was going into it, no one said anything about me being a girl. The male ego thing doesn’t last long. I haven’t heard anything out of this core group (in Butler Township) about ‘girls can’t do this or that.’”
LaDue said her dad was a city firefighter for many years, and growing up, she was interested in his work.
“In 1997 I graduated college, and my full intent was just to do rescue service,” she said. “That lasted three months. I got roped into fire service, and it’s scary, but it’s kind of neat too.”
Becoming assistant chief for Greenwood Village meant being thrust into the command structure at the scene, LaDue said. Being a female, it can often mean you end up in the heat of the action.
“Men can’t have facial hair when going into fires. If you don’t have facial hair, you always get stuck going inside,” she said. “It’s not my first choice now. It used to be.”
In more recent years, LaDue prefers to drive the fire truck. During the Cleveland Cliffs fire March 16, she drove the rescue truck into the building to fight the flames.
“There were sharp corners and edges to get through and people were impressed I could do that ... I say it’s like anything, if you do it enough, you can do it,” she said.
That wasn’t the first time folks were impressed to see LaDue behind the wheel of a fire engine.
“One little kid, for a PR event, I pulled in in a ladder truck. He says, ‘you’re driving the truck and you’re a girl?’ Parents will point and say, ‘she’s driving a fire truck, you could do that too,’ and I think that’s so important,” she said. “It doesn’t matter what your gender is. If you want to try something, try it.”
LaDue said one of her favorite parts of the job, besides driving, is watching the fire to see how the chemicals affect the flames.
“I get lost in the fire,” she said. “I like it ... I’ll probably be 80 and I’ll want to be driving fire trucks and ambulances with lights and sirens because it’s fun.”
In addition to volunteering in fire service, LaDue holds a job as a paramedic. She said her need to serve is why she’s been a firefighter for so long.
“I don’t tell anyone no, they need something, I want to do it. If I’m physically able, I need to help as many citizens as possible,” she said.
According to Haughey, LaDue is an unusual case for women in fire service.
“Most girls now have only been around four or five years,” he said. “There are some from when (LaDue) started who are still involved administratively rather than active firefighting. It’s hard to drop everything for a fire call if you have home responsibilities.”
LaDue serves as a captain with Paula Schmidt at Butler, and the remaining eight women in the department are from a younger generation.
“We have some up and coming girls that are pretty good in our department. We’re trying to cultivate them so they stick around,” LaDue said.
“There’s kind of an age gap of women in fire service,” Haughey said.
LaDue is hopeful for a female chief in Butler County’s future.
“It’s time consuming to get to that point, and your life revolves around the department. There’s absolutely no reason (girls) couldn’t be one,” she said. “I tell the young ones to pay attention. We tell everyone anyone can be a chief. Because there’s no reason they can’t. I never felt like I was suffocated or squelched from doing anything.”
If anyone has an interest in fire service, the opportunity is there. Most departments countywide are struggling for volunteers.
“There’s always something they can do. They don’t have to be She-ras or He-men. I’d encourage (people), if there’s an interest, to talk to their departments, and if there are females in them, talk to them about it,” LaDue said. “Right now, the local departments in this county need anyone who wants to give any help. If you have any interest, get out and do it.”
