The fire protection industry has seen a dramatic increase in the number of women who are seeking careers in this important and growing field. , one of Canada香蕉视频直播檚 leaders in this dynamic, but traditionally male-dominated space, is no exception. Over the past 10 years, Classic FLS is also seeing a large increase in skilled women technicians come through its doors香蕉视频直播攁nd is pleased about it.
Emily Taal, a five-year veteran at Classic Fire + Life Safety, recently earned her making her the first female in the company to hold this role. Taal received her certification in May 2022 after five years of apprenticeship training.
香蕉视频直播淚 love that I get to see what I香蕉视频直播檝e accomplished at the end of each day香蕉视频直播攊t is so rewarding. I have my own work van, I run my own jobs now, it香蕉视频直播檚 a wonderful feeling,香蕉视频直播� said Emily. 香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檝e worked hard and Classic FLS has helped me develop a solid career path. I have worked my way up and learned what I needed to learn, and the company has been there for me every step of the way.
The company believes in hiring and training a diverse workforce, something the company is sensitive about, considering the industry was once almost entirely male-dominated.
香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 a really great job,香蕉视频直播� says Olivia Schouten, a fire alarm technician trainee at Classic Fire + Life Safety香蕉视频直播檚 Toronto office. 香蕉视频直播淚 think it香蕉视频直播檚 really rewarding. If there are girls out there who are thinking of doing it, I香蕉视频直播檇 say 100 per cent, do it.香蕉视频直播�
香蕉视频直播淟ike many of my new colleagues, I fell in love with the idea of contributing to safe working environments and, beyond that, to helping reduce the number of accidents, injuries and tragic deaths that might impact people in or through someone香蕉视频直播檚 place of work,香蕉视频直播� said Melissa Diaz, the company香蕉视频直播檚 vice president of human resources.
Even though women in the industry occasionally encounter surprised individuals, there is nevertheless a palpable increase in appreciation for the new balance in the field.
香蕉视频直播淵ears ago, it was uncommon to see a woman within fire service or any field within fire safety, but today people don香蕉视频直播檛 seem to be as surprised,香蕉视频直播� says Chelcie Wallis, a recent hire.
Caroline Hanchard has been a at Classic Fire + Life Safety since 2016. She is one of the 11 women working in the field for the company.
香蕉视频直播淢any don香蕉视频直播檛 expect to see a woman carrying a ladder or entering the building to complete an inspection,香蕉视频直播� says Caroline Hanchard. 香蕉视频直播淢ost of the time it香蕉视频直播檚 just an honest reaction. If they show a willingness to talk, I香蕉视频直播檒l explain to them a bit about what we do.香蕉视频直播�
香蕉视频直播淚 was happy to see that we had three women on our team when I arrived,香蕉视频直播� says Carly Didone, fire alarm technician trainee. 香蕉视频直播淭he people we meet seem happy to see women working in the industry,香蕉视频直播� adds Didone.
Finding mentorship is another challenge that women in male-dominated industries often struggle with. However, at Classic Fire + Life Safety, mentoring colleagues is second nature.
香蕉视频直播淚 have gotten that stereotype from other contractors that because I香蕉视频直播檓 a woman they don香蕉视频直播檛 believe I can do it, that I香蕉视频直播檓 not strong enough,香蕉视频直播� notes Schouten. 香蕉视频直播淏ut the guys that I work with here at Classic FLS have been great. They香蕉视频直播檙e willing to teach me and let me learn. They don香蕉视频直播檛 look at me as someone that can香蕉视频直播檛 do the job.香蕉视频直播�
香蕉视频直播淲e all really help each other out, so if we have any questions, we feel very comfortable calling each other up,香蕉视频直播� says Hanchard, who has volunteered to help both Wallis and Didone prepare to get their fire alarm technician certification.
香蕉视频直播淢y very first week, I had the privilege to work with Carly and Caroline who, at the time, were the only female technicians and assistants at our office,香蕉视频直播� says Wallis. 香蕉视频直播淭hey definitely gave me a lot of insight and confidence within this role. For me, it was intimidating going to some of the guys I work with because I obviously wanted to look like I was prepared.香蕉视频直播�
While entering a male-dominated workforce can be intimidating, women who have an interest in fire safety should not let that hold them back from pursuing a career in it. The tide is changing.