|
Updated: 6:47 PM Feb 27, 2008
First woman firefighter in Ardmore
ARDMORE, OK -- History has been made at a local fire department. The city of Ardmore has hired its first female firefighter. Wednesday, was Whitney Edwards' first day on the job and our own Teddy Safo caught up with her to see the newest member of the Ardmore Fire Department.
Posted: 5:59 PM Feb 27, 2008Reporter: Teddy Safo Email Address: teddy.safo@kxii.com |
|
ARDMORE, OK -- History has been made at a local fire department. The city of Ardmore has hired its first female firefighter.
Wednesday, was Whitney Edwards' first day on the job and our own Teddy Safo caught up with her to see the newest member of the Ardmore Fire Department.
Ardmore's Fire Department has been around since 1895; 113 years later, 20-year-old Whitney Edwards can say she'll be the first woman ever to fight fires for the Ardmore Fire Department.
New Mexico native Whitney Edwards was the only woman volunteer firefighter in her hometown of Angel Fire. Now, she's the only woman fighting fires for the city of Ardmore; the first in the department’s 113 year history
"I didn’t believe it at first; took a lot of convincing from family,” she says. “It’s just a huge accomplishment."
Edwards' Shift Commander Darin Butler says a few women have tried to join the department, but they just couldn't pass the rigorous and intense physical tests. "She was really determined to be part of the team; [she has a] down to earth attitude, willing to learn and that’s what were looking for," he says.
She had to carry 125 pounds, 100 feet without stopping during the training. She doesn’t even weigh 125 pounds and had to run a mile-and-a-half in 13 minutes.
"We knew she had an excellent chance and getting on and being our first," Butler says.
Edwards says she's proud of accomplishing what no other woman has in the department’s more than a century history.
The excitement of being a firefighter and wanting to help others is something she intends to do for many years to come. "As soon as I figured it out, it became interesting; it became my dream. I want to do it as long as I can," she says.
She actually ended up in Ardmore while visiting some family in Stratford a few months ago. She says she heard about the Ardmore Fire Department and decided to check it out.
| AP Video on KXII |
|
|
| In The Community | |
|
GCC receives $675,000 grant
Last Updated: 5:56 PM 03/12/10 - DENISON, TX - Grayson County College received a large grant today that will provide training for jobs at local businesses. The college's Center for Workplace Learning was notified it would be given more than $600,000 in a Skills Development Fund grant from the Texas Workforce Commission. (Full Story) |
|
|
Volunteers needed to read to Denison kids
Last Updated: 2:59 PM 03/09/10 - DENISON, TX--It's Texas Public School week and Denison I-S-D needs volunteer readers As soon as possible for this week's Star Reader Program. On Tuesday, (Full Story) |
|
Tom Bean police officer honored for heroism
Last Updated: 5:59 PM 03/08/10 - TOM BEAN, TX - Tom Bean Police Officer Larry Rittenhouse was named the Hero of the Year at the city council meeting Monday night in Tom Bean. (Full Story) |
|
Free monthly health screenings make Texoma healthier place
Last Updated: 6:46 PM 03/04/10 - DENISON, TX - Finding out you have a disease like diabetes can be life-changing. But a simple test could let you know if you're at risk and even prevent you from developing the disease. That's the idea behind Thursday’s free screenings at TMC. (Full Story) |
|
|
Fannin County 4-H Fashion Show and Tea
Last Updated: 7:11 AM 03/02/10 - Fannin County 4-H is gearing up for their fashion show and tea. They are raising money for a good cause. (Full Story) |
|
| More Headlines | |
| Most Discussed Stories |
| Racial slur appears in Saint Jo publication 124 Comments |
| Achille mayor arrested for embezzlement 115 Comments |
| Boy threatens students with knife on school bus 64 Comments |
| Durant Police nab suspect with 58 lbs. of pot 55 Comments |
| 20 dead animals found, others seized from shelter 50 Comments |
| 2 arrested in Atoka shooting 49 Comments |



