Branford Welcomes First Female Pro Firefighter

UPDATE — ​“I love it,” said Amanda Henriques as she described her new career as a Branford firefighter and paramedic. ​“There are so many different aspects. You can deliver a baby in the morning and fight a fire in the evening.”

The 24-year-old was sworn in last night with the distinction of being the first female in the history of Branford’s Professional Firefighters Local 2533. She joined the department on New Year’s Eve, and was part of the crew who battled an overnight fire in early January at Lamphiers Cove in Short Beach.

“You really have to work with everybody as a team,” Henriques said, adding that firefighters were on scene for several hours. Two cottages were damaged in the blaze, one extensively. ​“It was cold and windy and everything was frozen.”

Henriques, who became a volunteer firefighter in Litchfield County when she was 16, said being the first female on Branford’s professional crew hasn’t fazed her. ​“It was probably more of a change for the guys. I’ve always worked in a predominately male environment, so it wasn’t that different for me.”

Fire Chief Jack Ahern said the addition of a female has been positive. ​“It’s great. We are always open to diversity. It brings a whole new level of awareness for everybody here. It makes us a stronger department.”

Ahern said the only difficulties stemmed from the fact that Branford’s fire station is in deplorable condition and has no separate accommodations. Privacy curtains were put up around the bunks where the crews sleep during overnight shifts, and locks were installed on bathroom and shower facilities. He said everyone had to make concessions.

“We’ve done the best we can here,” the chief said. ​“We’re anxious to move forward with the new firehouse. It would have accommodations for everybody built in.” 

Although Branford was one of the last career departments in the state to have an all-male roster, women have been serving in the town’s volunteer fire companies since the 1970’s. There are currently nine female volunteers, including one who is a certified paramedic and works part-time with the ambulance crew.

Ahern said requirements for joining Branford’s career unit are more stringent than in some other towns because all firefighters are also paramedics. An applicant must at least be certified as an emergency medical technician when joining the department and then complete paramedic training, which takes about 18 months.

“So a lot of women and men can’t apply because they’re not an EMT,” Ahern said.

Applicants must pass the state’s Candidate Physical Agility Test, a written exam and interviews. If hired, they undergo a 14-week training session at the Fire Training Academy in Winsor Locks.

“The process is tough,” Ahern said. ​“It’s difficult for females and males. It’s mentally and physically challenging.”

Henriques enjoys a challenge. She joined the Northville Volunteer Fire Department in her hometown of New Milford while still in high school. 

“I was driving by the fire station one day and something sparked my interest,” Henriques said. She began training as a volunteer firefighter and medic at age 16, the first one in her family to serve in either capacity. ​“I just knew I wanted to do it.”

The Northville department was small, but provided a lot of training opportunities for fire fighting and vehicle extrication. She also rode along on medical calls and observed how the medics worked. ​“It opened my eyes to what it’s like,” she said. ​“I knew what I was getting myself into.”

Henriques worked with the volunteer department for four years, and then began training to become a paramedic. After working as a technician in the emergency department at Danbury Hospital, she was hired as a paramedic by American Medical Response in Bridgeport.

But while she enjoyed the medical work, she wanted a fulltime position that would incorporate both firefighting and paramedic skills. ​“I wanted Branford for so many reasons,” Henriques said. ​“It’s a great combination (of jobs).”

So she began daily training for the Physical Agility Test. The test involves wearing a 75-pound vest while on a stair climber, and then wearing a 50-pound vest for the remainder of the course which includes a maze search and a victim drag. 

After passing the test and being hired by Branford, she went to the firefighters academy for additional training, graduating Dec. 18. ​“The academy was physically demanding,” she said. ​“But it was a great experience. I wouldn’t trade it.”

Henriques, who has a petite build, played sports in high school and was a varsity swimmer all four years. ​“I’m slight, but it’s all muscle. I work out every day.”

Her advice for anyone considering a firefighting career: ​“Do the physical training and don’t be intimidated. If a female wants this, she’ll get it. If someone slows you down, just keep going.”

The dual employment of also being a paramedic holds its own set of challenges. Developing a bedside manner is not easy. ​“It’s something that comes with time,” Henriques said. ​“You have to be multi-tasking — tending to medical needs and considering their feelings too. You just assure them everything’s going to be OK, and you have to assure the family too.”

Henriques enjoys the full spectrum of duties. ​“I like working as a team whether it’s a fire call or a medical call. The job is always changing. There’s something new every day.”

She said the crew and officers have been very supportive and ready to answer any questions. ​“Everybody who works here is awesome,” she said. ​“We have a lot of resources; there are a lot of volunteers. There’s always a solution to any issue.”

Branford crews typically work a 24-hour shift and then have three days off. Henriques, who resides with her husband in West Haven, has continued to work part-time at American Medical Response in Bridgeport. ​“I like to keep busy,” she said.

She was sworn in with another newcomer, Dan Slaybaugh, (pictured) who is originally from Montana and moved to Connecticut a few years ago.

Branford’s Fire Department has 33 full-time career firefighters and more than 100 volunteers. The crews typically respond to more than 1,700 fire calls and 3,500 medical calls yearly.

Plans are on the drawing board for a new headquarters but several issues have stalled the process. The North Main Street site houses both the fire station and the pubic works building. Plans call for constructing the new station where public works is currently located, and moving that facility to a temporary site and later to the town’s Tabor Drive property. 

Although the town applied for federal stimulus money for the new headquarters, none has been received. Chief Ahern said additional sources of funding may be available if the project receives final approvals.

“We’re very anxious to take the next step and put a shovel in the ground,” he said.

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Editor’s note: With this story we welcome Mary Johnson, the Eagle’s new photographer. She has photographed everything from babies to pets to weddings to breaking news. She is also a portrait photographer. Over the years her photography has led her to become a ​“fire buff.” She can usually be found photographing fires and fire department events across the shoreline.