Belize gets first full-time female firefighter
Everyone is a little nervous and excited their first day on the job, but today was very special for one young woman. Not only was she realizing a lifelong dream, she was doing what no woman in Belize had done, become a full-time member of the Belize Fire Service. Janelle Chanona spoke with Dativa Chacon, her boss and her co-workers today on her first day of training.
Dativa Chacon, First Female Firefighter
“From I was growing up, I always had interest in being either a policeman, a B.D.F. or a firefighter.”
This morning twenty-two year old Dativa Chacon became the firefighter she dreamt of becoming as a child. Before she took up a fire hose, Dativa taught at James Garbutt Primary School but decided the fire service looked more interesting. Fire Chief Henry Baizar says he’s always wanted to employ a female firefighter.
Henry Baizar, Fire Chief
“I realize that not all women will be able to do the job but a certain type of women will be able to do the job. You have to be both mentally and physically fit. It’s hard work.”
Dativa Chacon
“The hardest part is being in the sun for like three hours in a suit; that’s the hardest part.”
Q: “Isn’t the hose heavy?”
Dativa Chacon
“They are heavy but once you get used to it, you get accustomed to it.”
The heavy clothing in warm weather adds to the hard work but her experience as a volunteer over the last several months made Dativa even more determined to face the fires of Belize City. Her male counterparts say her presence among them is a good sign.
Firefighter #1
“It shows that women could do the work that men can do and in this day and age women always try prove themselves and this is a good way to do it.”
Firefighter #2
“It’s known that women have more durability than men so…”
Firefighter #3
“We’re going to give her courage, courage to finish the course.”
Henry Baizar
“Her spirit and willpower and everything she has I think will take her through.”
Dativa says she just wants to be one of the guys.
Dativa Chacon
“To be as good as the other guys; to become a professional.”
Janelle Chanona for News Five.
Dativa and the other trainee firefighters will participate in drills from nine to twelve every morning for the next nine weeks. In the afternoons, Dativa will return to the classroom for theory lessons. The new trainees will mount fire trucks sometime in December. Women have been volunteer firefighters in the past, but Chacon is the first woman to be hired as permanent staff.
