One of Cincinnati's First Female Firefighters Retires

CINCINNATI – The Cincinnati Fire Department (CFD) celebrated 164 years as the first fully paid professional fire department earlier this year. One of the notable milestones in the department’s storied history occurred in 1984 when, for the first time, the department hired females to work as firefighters. There were three female recruits that year: Pateeser Jackson, Vickie Goodson, and Paula Duncan.

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On June 27, 2017, a retirement luncheon celebrated Jackson's 33-year career with CFD. The event took place at Cincinnati Fire Station No. 9 on Reading Road. Jackson was joined by her fellow "9's" as well as various members of the community and fellow firefighters, including Goodson who is still with the department as a fire specialist.

Sadly, Duncan passed in 1996.

“It’s important to recognize the dedication and fortitude of our female firefighters. They reflect the diversity and values of not only our historic fire department but our city as a whole,” said City Manager Harry Black. “The contributions of all of our firefighters will continue to serve as a point of inspiration and pride in our community for years to come.”

“There is still work to be done, but we’ve come a long way in the fire service in terms of hiring females,” added Chief Roy Winston, who has spent three decades with the Cincinnati Fire Department. “Individuals like Firefighter Jackson and her classmates were pioneers that let other women know they, too, could serve citizens in the role of a firefighter.”

Since 1984, the number of females on the department has risen to 42, with some of those women moving into promoted ranks.

In late 2015, Falencia Frazier became the first African-American female to be promoted to the rank of lieutenant. Melissa Arnold became the first female ever to be promoted to the rank of captain in early 2016.

You can learn more Cincinnati Fire Department history on the City of Cincinnati’s website.