'I wear my uniform with pride'- Meet Geraldine, Carlow's first ever female firefighter

County Carlow welcomed in its first female firefighter in 2019 and she has paved the way for other women to follow in her footsteps.

Now there are currently three women in total serving in fire stations across Carlow- a career which was once male dominated in the county up until recent years.

Geraldine Strahan spoke to Carlow Live on her inspirational story breaking the boundaries for women in a male dominated field.

She is based in the Hacketstown fire station where she joined in 2019 as Carlow's first female firefighter.

Geraldine admitted it was daunting at first being the only woman in the room training and working alongside men but it was always something she wanted to do every since she was a young girl.

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"I always was drawn to becoming a firefighter. My father was in the fire service and from a young age I had the interest in it and the role it plays in the community and helping people. 

"It was a bit daunting in the beginning because like every course you would go on and every bit of training, you're always the one girl in the room with all men".

"I went, I did my training, I had to go away and leave my kids and that for three weeks to go to Limerick to do training. And then I came back and I had to go to Tullamore for another two weeks for BA training, that's breeding apparatus, and then back to Hackettstown then to do a week of CFBT. 

“So, it's all training and going away training, but like you're always maybe the only female in the building, you know".

Geraldine said that this never bothered her however and she never had any negative experiences or opinions from others.

"I didn't mind. It was a bit daunting at the beginning, but there's 12 of us now in Hackettstown, so there's 11 lads and myself and you know what, we're a close-knit team, we work so well together and we're always looking out for each other. 

"I never got any hassling. I've never had any problems in the fire service from any men, it's always been quite positive, where I am anyway. I can't speak for everyone else".

Geraldine is heading into her seventh year as a firefighter in Carlow and she says she still loves the job.

"I'm really proud to be a firefighter. I wear my uniform with pride and, you know, we're constantly training, like we're upskilling all the time.

"It's been very good. We also have the training centre in Hacketstown where firefighters from all over the country come and train. And I do a great deal of work there as well".

Geraldine said that over the course of her time at Hacketstown fire station it has gone from strength to strength.

"Our current chief fire officer, Ben Woodhouse, he's taken a real interest in the training centre and has been just moving firmly in the right direction. So, I'm involved in the training centre and that kind of allows me to develop my own skills as well".

Geraldine said that her favourite parts of the job is helping people, giving back to the community and the adrenaline rush you get. 

"We're retained firefighters, so like you could be sitting at home, you wear a beeper and wherever you are, that beeper goes off. You have to run, get your gear on, out the door and then head to whatever emergency you're heading to.

"It's not only fires now, it's traffic collisions, medical, hazmat. There's so many different things that you can get called to, not only fires".

Looking into the future, Geraldine is working on progressing in her field and is constantly improving her skills.

"I also want to progress in the fire service and they do make it possible for us as well, which is a good thing. I recently completed a manual handling instructor course so, that's my first step towards probably instructing within the fire service.

"So, you're constantly learning and training and staying skilled and prepared, you know, for the next big thing. 

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"It is a fantastic place to work and it's a career that I'm personally very proud to be in. I also strongly recommend other women to follow in this path. It's very rewarding and it's not like any other job. Every day is different".

Geraldine said that for women thinking about becoming a firefighter but might be nervous or anxious about entering a male dominated field, "it is evolving. There is more and more women joining the fire service and we do encourage that".

"Like the training, it's tough. But, you know, if it's something you want to do, you'll do it. But I do think that women are afraid because it's so male dominated. But it is evolving and it is changing and there's more and more women in the fire service now.

"Everyone brings something different to the table. You know, someone mightn't think they're strong enough or whatever, but you do bring something else to the table".