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鈥檚 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鈥攁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.
鈥淚 love that I get to see what I鈥檝e accomplished at the end of each day鈥攊t is so rewarding. I have my own work van, I run my own jobs now, it鈥檚 a wonderful feeling,鈥� said Emily. 鈥淚鈥檝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.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a really great job,鈥� says Olivia Schouten, a fire alarm technician trainee at Classic Fire + Life Safety鈥檚 Toronto office. 鈥淚 think it鈥檚 really rewarding. If there are girls out there who are thinking of doing it, I鈥檇 say 100 per cent, do it.鈥�
鈥淟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鈥檚 place of work,鈥� said Melissa Diaz, the company鈥檚 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.
鈥淵ears ago, it was uncommon to see a woman within fire service or any field within fire safety, but today people don鈥檛 seem to be as surprised,鈥� 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.
鈥淢any don鈥檛 expect to see a woman carrying a ladder or entering the building to complete an inspection,鈥� says Caroline Hanchard. 鈥淢ost of the time it鈥檚 just an honest reaction. If they show a willingness to talk, I鈥檒l explain to them a bit about what we do.鈥�
鈥淚 was happy to see that we had three women on our team when I arrived,鈥� says Carly Didone, fire alarm technician trainee. 鈥淭he people we meet seem happy to see women working in the industry,鈥� 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.
鈥淚 have gotten that stereotype from other contractors that because I鈥檓 a woman they don鈥檛 believe I can do it, that I鈥檓 not strong enough,鈥� notes Schouten. 鈥淏ut the guys that I work with here at Classic FLS have been great. They鈥檙e willing to teach me and let me learn. They don鈥檛 look at me as someone that can鈥檛 do the job.鈥�
鈥淲e all really help each other out, so if we have any questions, we feel very comfortable calling each other up,鈥� says Hanchard, who has volunteered to help both Wallis and Didone prepare to get their fire alarm technician certification.
鈥淢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,鈥� says Wallis. 鈥淭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.鈥�
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.