GEORGIA—While a small percentage of wildland firefighters are women, that number is growing thanks to initiatives exposing a new generation of females to careers in fire. 

Twin sisters from the Lyndon B. Johnson Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center, Tamia and Tariya Williams, and Jade Bourg, a student at Flatwoods Job Corps Center, recently had an eye-opening, 14-day deployment with an all-female engine module. The module was on assignment to the Oconee National Forest to support its prescribed fire season.

The crew included Monongahela National Forest employees Colleen Urffer, engine boss; Susan Greenleaf, engine boss; and Amy Farley, firefighter type 1; and Wayne National Forest employees Kelly Broadbear, firefighter type 1, and Carrie Wilts, firefighter type 1.

After an initial introduction to wildland fire, the Job Corp students wanted to work with women in leadership positions in the wildland fire community. The twins, Florida natives who are both studying welding, approached Job Corps assistant fire management officer Dave Collins, National Forests in North Carolina, about an opportunity to fight fire on an all-female crew. He connected them to the Engine 641 module.

Guided by the all-female crew, the Job Corps students gained firsthand experience working a prescribed fire, from building and improving fire lines around sensitive areas to operating a drip torch. They were also introduced to a variety of fire lighting patterns and got to work in tandem with a helicopter for aerial ignitions. After ignitions were complete, the engine crew patrolled the lines, using the engine and utility terrain vehicle pumps to mop-up hazardous trees. In total, the crew conducted burns of nearly 3,800 acres of land.

Despite the physical challenge of lighting prescribed fire alongside a dozer line up a steep slope all morning, Tamia Williams was thrilled. “This job is cool!” she said.

Tariya Williams appreciated seeing how things work on the job in real life. “We learned a lot in fire school, but it was kind of blurry. It’s better when you can see it in person,” she said. “I'm all about seeing females in different industries. It motivates me more to see someone like me doing what I want to do. It helps a lot and motivates me a lot to keep on going.”

“Usually in career choices like this—military, fire—it’s usually men—all you see are guys,” echoed Tamia. “It’s exciting to see a female doing what you actually want to do. The training you get, like handling the torches, the more confident you get in doing the job as a woman.”

For these young women, the assignment opened their eyes to broader career opportunities and the chance to build a support network. They appreciate that their welding certifications will allow them multiple career paths. “One thing Job Corps is good at is helping you see that you’re not stuck and you have and can take a different path,” said Tariya. “You just have to want it and you have to put in the work.”

Being a part of the Engine 641 module was a positive experience for Forest Service employees, too. It provided a unique and necessary place for up-and-coming staff to gain experience and confidence and an opportunity to mentor other young women.

The deployment left all three Job Corp students with a deep respect for their national forest crew leaders. “I was inspired by all the girls on the crew,” said Tamia. “Each had their own separate roles, did it well and got the job done.”

District Fire Management Officer Tim Kolnik, longtime supporter of the centers, said, “I’m pleased with your performance and professionalism and good leadership. You guys are always on time, you communicate well and I’m really happy with the work you’ve been doing.”