South Jersey Fire Company makes history after all female crew are stationed in Deptford Township

DEPTFORD TOWNSHIP, New Jersey – A South Jersey fire company made history Saturday after every crew member called in for a shift was a woman.

According to volunteers from the Union Fire Company, a branch of the Deptford Fire Service, it is normal to have several women on duty at the same time.

“It’s for everyone. You don’t have to be a man to do this. Everyone is welcome,” said Lt. Jennifer Smith, who has volunteered with the company since her adolescence.

There are 10 women in this company alone, representing about a quarter of the staff.

“It was welcoming to be here because it was our family here, and it’s from here that we welcome all the members who come,” she said.

Many women became firefighters because their fathers did and they wanted to be part of the family business.

As they look to the next generation, they hope the narrative shifts and girls join them because of their mothers.

“It’s been in the family for a long time. We all love doing it, that’s for sure,” said firefighter Megan Thelen.

His father and mother are also firefighters with the Union Fire Company. Thelen started volunteering when she was 15 years old.

“At first I was like, ‘I don’t really know if this is going to be for me.’ And I ended up liking it,” Thelen said. “It’s definitely become something that I’m really passionate about.”

Thelen adds that she also hopes to be an inspiration to other women.

The fire company is hosting a recruiting event on Tuesday, March 29 at 6 p.m.