Henderson hosts introductory class for women considering firefighting

Women dragged fire hoses and human-shaped dummies, carried heavy equipment, practiced forcible entry and ran up a six-story tower about eight times.

They also performed other physical tasks and exercises and took part in classroom sessions as they explored a career in firefighting Nov. 6-8 at the Henderson Fire Training Center, 401 Parkson Road.

The job may seem intimidating or otherwise unappealing to women at large, but student Alexis Coss was loving every minute of it.

"I was hungry for the job; I've tasted it, and now I'm going full force," said Coss, a 25-year-old respiratory therapist.

Coss was one of 26 women who took part in the city of Henderson's inaugural introductory class for women in the fire service. The free event was geared in part toward dispelling common misconceptions that firefighting is for men, organizers said.

"We can get physically fit for it, mentally fit for it," said Monica Manig, a city of Henderson medical services officer who helped lead the program. "We learn techniques, so it's not so much of how much muscle I have, but do I know the technique to make this work for me?"

Instructors included personnel from the Clark County, Henderson and Mount Charleston fire departments and Las Vegas Fire & Rescue. They talked about life in the fire house, what the fire academy is like and the importance of being physically fit.

"I don't think Henderson has a single firefighter who's unfit," Greg Gammon, a retired Las Vegas Fire & Rescue chief, told attendees. "I can't emphasize enough how important it is to stay in shape. Fitness is really important to fire service."

Gammon also is director of the Fire Science program and emergency manager at the College of Southern Nevada. He said prospective firefighters often ask him what courses they need to take to pass the Nevada firefighter exam and improve their chances of being hired. He recommends the Principles of Emergency Services; Nevada Firefighter I; Hazardous Materials Chemistry; and Internship in Firefighting.

"After taking the above courses, along with becoming an EMT at some point along the way — whether you get it from CSN or a private company doesn't matter — you are then eligible to take the state of Nevada Firefighter I test," he stated in an email after the event.

Kara Easton also was among students. She said she was still considering whether to pursue the career. She's currently studying emergency management at UNLV, so it would be a good fit in that regard, she said.

"I do like it," she said. "It's a bit of a wakeup call, but I like it. I'm big into education, and I like to be physical."

Manig said part of the purpose of the academy was to give attendees a realistic taste of the physical and mental demands that come with being a firefighter and attending a fire academy, which can range from 12 to 14 weeks of training in the city of Henderson to about 22 weeks in Clark County.

"A lot of people don't know the realness of it," she said.

Still, the introductory program was not as tough as a real academy, she said.

"The exercises were something we would give to the cadet, but they didn't push them to the excess that we would a cadet," she said. "What this class is designed to do is to show you a baseline of where you are, and it's like a wakeup call for them."

The Henderson Fire Department has 244 full-time staff members, with 208 of them working in fire and rescue operations; four of the 208 people are women.

"Traditionally, we haven't seen large numbers of women come to take the entrance exam for us," city Fire Chief Steve Goble said. "It hasn't been a traditional career for women, and we kind of want to strip away some of the urban legends that it's not for women or that it would be difficult for them. It is very helpful for us to have a very diverse range of perspectives to help us solve problems."

The introductory program is set to be offered again in spring and fall 2016, Manig said. City officials said they already have a waiting list. Call 702-267-2280 or visit cityofhendeson.com.

Also, fire departments from Henderson, Clark County, North Las Vegas, Mount Charleston and Mesquite are set to host outreach sessions for men and women interested in being firefighters as part of a joint recruitment drive. Sessions are set for 2 to 4 p.m. Dec. 1 at the Mountain Crest Community Center, 4701 N. Durango Drive; 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Dec. 2 at the Henderson Fire Training Center; and 2 to 4 p.m. Dec. 5 at the Desert Breeze Recreation Center, 8275 Spring Mountain Road. Minimum qualifications, testing dates and other information is available at snvfirerecruitment.com.

— To reach Henderson View reporter Cassandra Keenan, email ckeenan@viewnews.com or call 702-383-0278. Find her on Twitter: @CassandraKNews.