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含羞草研究社檚 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含羞草研究社攁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.

含羞草研究社淚 love that I get to see what I含羞草研究社檝e accomplished at the end of each day含羞草研究社攊t is so rewarding. I have my own work van, I run my own jobs now, it含羞草研究社檚 a wonderful feeling,含羞草研究社� said Emily. 含羞草研究社淚含羞草研究社檝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.

含羞草研究社淚t含羞草研究社檚 a really great job,含羞草研究社� says Olivia Schouten, a fire alarm technician trainee at Classic Fire + Life Safety含羞草研究社檚 Toronto office. 含羞草研究社淚 think it含羞草研究社檚 really rewarding. If there are girls out there who are thinking of doing it, I含羞草研究社檇 say 100 per cent, do it.含羞草研究社�

含羞草研究社淟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含羞草研究社檚 place of work,含羞草研究社� said Melissa Diaz, the company含羞草研究社檚 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.

含羞草研究社淵ears ago, it was uncommon to see a woman within fire service or any field within fire safety, but today people don含羞草研究社檛 seem to be as surprised,含羞草研究社� 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.

含羞草研究社淢any don含羞草研究社檛 expect to see a woman carrying a ladder or entering the building to complete an inspection,含羞草研究社� says Caroline Hanchard. 含羞草研究社淢ost of the time it含羞草研究社檚 just an honest reaction. If they show a willingness to talk, I含羞草研究社檒l explain to them a bit about what we do.含羞草研究社�

含羞草研究社淚 was happy to see that we had three women on our team when I arrived,含羞草研究社� says Carly Didone, fire alarm technician trainee. 含羞草研究社淭he people we meet seem happy to see women working in the industry,含羞草研究社� 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.

含羞草研究社淚 have gotten that stereotype from other contractors that because I含羞草研究社檓 a woman they don含羞草研究社檛 believe I can do it, that I含羞草研究社檓 not strong enough,含羞草研究社� notes Schouten. 含羞草研究社淏ut the guys that I work with here at Classic FLS have been great. They含羞草研究社檙e willing to teach me and let me learn. They don含羞草研究社檛 look at me as someone that can含羞草研究社檛 do the job.含羞草研究社�

含羞草研究社淲e all really help each other out, so if we have any questions, we feel very comfortable calling each other up,含羞草研究社� says Hanchard, who has volunteered to help both Wallis and Didone prepare to get their fire alarm technician certification.

含羞草研究社淢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,含羞草研究社� says Wallis. 含羞草研究社淭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.含羞草研究社�

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.