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害羞草研究所檚 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害羞草研究所攁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.

害羞草研究所淚 love that I get to see what I害羞草研究所檝e accomplished at the end of each day害羞草研究所攊t is so rewarding. I have my own work van, I run my own jobs now, it害羞草研究所檚 a wonderful feeling,害羞草研究所� said Emily. 害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檝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.

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

害羞草研究所淟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害羞草研究所檚 place of work,害羞草研究所� said Melissa Diaz, the company害羞草研究所檚 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.

害羞草研究所淵ears ago, it was uncommon to see a woman within fire service or any field within fire safety, but today people don害羞草研究所檛 seem to be as surprised,害羞草研究所� 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.

害羞草研究所淢any don害羞草研究所檛 expect to see a woman carrying a ladder or entering the building to complete an inspection,害羞草研究所� says Caroline Hanchard. 害羞草研究所淢ost of the time it害羞草研究所檚 just an honest reaction. If they show a willingness to talk, I害羞草研究所檒l explain to them a bit about what we do.害羞草研究所�

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

害羞草研究所淚 have gotten that stereotype from other contractors that because I害羞草研究所檓 a woman they don害羞草研究所檛 believe I can do it, that I害羞草研究所檓 not strong enough,害羞草研究所� notes Schouten. 害羞草研究所淏ut the guys that I work with here at Classic FLS have been great. They害羞草研究所檙e willing to teach me and let me learn. They don害羞草研究所檛 look at me as someone that can害羞草研究所檛 do the job.害羞草研究所�

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

害羞草研究所淢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,害羞草研究所� says Wallis. 害羞草研究所淭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.害羞草研究所�

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.