Tracy Collins doesn’t think she’s someone special.
But the 48-year-old mother of two is the only female firefighter in the 100-person Peabody Fire Department. She’s risen through the ranks. Last year, she was promoted from lieutenant to captain.
“I don’t understand why there aren’t more women in the fire service,” Collins said. “If I can do it, anyone can.”
Really?
The firefighter Physical Ability Test (PAT) is not for the weak or out of shape. It’s a set of timed, endurance tests that must be passed before being hired by any fire department.
For Collins, it was no problem. She passed the PAT along with 11 other male recruits and became a full-time firefighter in 1999.
“I’m a lot stronger than I look,” she said. “I don’t want to say I’m an overachiever, but if I set my mind to something I will do it.”