Three women hold top leadership roles at a Fairfax County Fire station. It's the first time in the history of the department that three women have run the day-to-day operations at a fire station.
Captain Emily Murphy, Captain Katja Lancing and Captain Felicia Barnes work different shifts at Fire Station 37 in Kingstowne. Capt. Murphy, who works the A shift, came to the station two and a half years ago. Capt. Lancing, who works the B shift, arrived in 2020. Capt. Barnes was assigned to the station in May.
In an industry that is striving to acquire more diversity, especially in leadership roles, it signals progress.
Since they all work different shifts, they don't work directly with each other, but must work together as a team to keep the station operating efficiently.