March
16,
2010
The Hottest Job in America
Though today they represent just 6,000 of the nation's 1.1 million firefighters, women are finally cracking the white-hot ceiling of this once solidly male profession, with California leading the way. Meet the ladies of Oakland’s Station 29, where on some shifts women outnumber men by nearly 2-1.
By Jessica Pilot
A Hard Day's Work
female firefighters, firefighters, firehouse, bunk
female firefighter in firehouse bedroom
Firefighters at Station 29 serve in 24-hour shifts. Betsey Kimmel, 43, settles into one of the firehouse's four spartan bedrooms.
On the Job
female firefighters, firefighters, on duty
female firefighter responding to a call
Linda Buell, 36, responds to a call about a suspicious package, which proves to be harmless.
House Rules
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female firefighter grocery shopping
The on-duty crew goes grocery shopping every morning. In the event of an alarm, a designated supermarket employee minds the cart until the team returns.
The Firehouse Diet
female firefighters, firefighters, meal, alfredo
leftover pasta dish
Meals are routinely interrupted by alarms. This alfredo dish sat for hours before the crew returned from a 911 call.
Imminent Danger
female firefighters, firefighters, firehouse, desks
female firefighters at desks
Fire accounts for less than 10 percent of Oakland's 56,000 emergency calls each year. Station 29 also responds to floods, earthquakes, chemical spills, and potential acts of terror.
Taking the Heat
female firefighters, firefighters, protective gear
female firefighter in protective gear
"People are always surprised by what I do. Someone once asked me, 'You actually put out fires?' What did she expect me to say, that I just cook and clean?" —Melinda Drayton, Oakland Battalion Chief
One of the Guys
female firefighters, firefighters, on duty, firehouse
female firefighter on duty
Zoraida Diaz, 41, sets about her day's duties: replenishing supplies and checking the fire truck's equipment.
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