With close to 25% of its roster comprised of women, the East Tawas Fire Department (ETFD) exceeds the national average for the percentage of female firefighters.
According to the most recent available data from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), females account for roughly 8% of the overall firefighter population in the United States. Further, less than 5% of career firefighters across the country are women.
But with the ETFD, Chief Bill Deckett points out that six of the 27 firefighters are female, currently putting the department at 22%.
“We are very proud of these ladies and the job they do,” he stated, adding that four of the six are part of the ETFD’s Medical First Responder (MFR) group, as well. The other two work for Ascension St. Joseph Hospital in Tawas City, one of whom is also enrolled in a nursing program at college.