BUFFALO, N.Y. — A group of four women were the firefighters on duty last weekend at Buffalo Fire Department Engine 3, located at the corner of Broadway and Monroe streets.
One firefighter, Lydia Monin, said she's been with the department six years now, and it was special to work alongside her female colleagues.
"It's very uplifting and empowering to know that I have three other intelligent women by my side," Monin said. "You don't see it every single day, but when it happens, it gives you a chance to look back on the history of the department and see that we've come a very far way.
"The women before me paved the way. They continue to pave the way every single day, and for that I'm very grateful."
Buffalo Fire Commissioner William Renaldo said it's great to see more women join the department and serve the community.
"We have a little over 40 females on the Buffalo Fire Department. A lot of them are ascending through the ranks. At one point we were just able to say we have X amount of females, but now we have females who becoming a lieutenant, captains, battalion chiefs, division chiefs," Renaldo said.
One woman who is moving up the ranks is Battalion Chief Aimee Kinsley. She says there were several trailblazers who inspired her.
"Margaret Keane was one of the first five fire females hired to the Buffalo Fire Department back in the early 80s," Kinsley said. "She was a deputy commissioner when I started and was instrumental in supporting women as they came through the doors.
"I've had the privilege of working with both of her daughters — one a retired lieutenant, and one who is a captain. I've had incredible women along the way who have been great mentors and helped me get to where I am today."
Monin added that she's grateful for the opportunity.
"To me its the best job in the world," she said. "It's so incredibly rewarding to be there and serve the citizens of Buffalo, a community I grew up in my entire life, and to be there on their worst days means the most to me."