VIDEO: Women from all over Central Minnesota stopped by the Crosslake fire hall this past weekend for the area’s first ever Women’s Fire Service Expo.
Organized through members of the Cuyana Range Fire Chief’s Association, this event provided women considering joining the fire service an opportunity to see firsthand what it’s like to be a first responder in a local fire department.
Only 7% of firefighters in the service are women, and with older generations stepping away, there’s no better time to address that disparity.
“Our fire departments are dwindling a little bit with the baby boomers moving out, so we really need to encourage more people to come in and we’re missing out on women being part of that,” explained Jen Elleraas, a captain with the Garrison Fire Department.