Central Falls welcomes 1st female firefighter - ABC6 - Providence, RI and New Bedford, MA News, Weather

Central Falls welcomes 1st female firefighter

The Central Falls fire department celebrated a first on Friday, swearing in the department's first female firefighter.

Katie Nichols acceptance into the Central Falls fire department, isn't just an accomplishment for her, it's a milestone for the city.

That's because Nichols is the 1st female firefighter that Central Falls has had in its 118-year history.

"Katie's been a terrific addition to the department, she's been training with us for over a month now she's adjusted real well, the guys have adjusted real well." said her new boss, Central Falls Fire Chief Robert Bradley.

Nichols swearing in comes 22-years after Providence first swore in female fighters.

Over the course of the last 10-years, the number of female firefighters statewide has grown steadily at the state's 76-fire departments.

Central Falls was one of the few communities left in Rhode Island without a woman on staff.

"Probably one of the last departments actually to have that threshold broken where we have a female come in." said Chief Bradley.

After 4-weeks of training in Central Falls, Nichols and her new boss, are both excited to see her become a part of their firefighting family.

"No matter where she goes she carries that name of a Central Falls firefighter."said Chief Bradley.
 
"They've been nothing but helpful to me, nothing but patient with me, and I'm looking forward to becoming a part of the department."said Nichols.