Chelsea on the scene of a training exercise | Photo by B. Shakyaver
Chelsea Brintnell is one of seven female firefighters that currently serves in the South Huron Fire Department (with stations in both Exeter, and Dashwood).
It’s Nurses’ Week, and Chelsea offers service to her community not only through healthcare but also in the frontlines of emergency response. By day, a registered nurse at Victoria Hospital in London Health Science Centre, who also dedicates her time as an on call firefighter in Exeter.
Joining the volunteer fire department three years ago, she found herself drawn to the profession for several reasons.
Balancing her role in the neonatal ICU with firefighting, Chelsea brings a unique perspective to both worlds. Her experience as a nurse enriches her contributions to the fire department, where medical knowledge can be crucial in emergencies – as a majority of their calls have some form of medical emergency attached to them.
In a field traditionally dominated by men, Chelsea’s presence represents a shift towards inclusivity and diversity. While acknowledging the challenges, she emphasizes the importance of confidence and teamwork.
There are three women at the Exeter station | Photo by B. Shakyaver
Chelsea is one of three female firefighters in Exeter’s 35 person force – according to statistics from the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs, only 11% of firefighters are women, which puts Exeter’s force inline with that statistic.
She says that while at the end of the day people of different physical builds are capable of different things, sometimes all it takes is some creativity.
Regardless of the gender disparities in the profession, Chelsea says that everyone has something to bring to the table.
Photo by B. Shakyaver
Looking ahead, Chelsea hopes to see more women joining the fire service, empowered by examples like hers. She believes that increasing female representation, especially in leadership roles, will further dismantle gender biases and pave the way for future generations – just as the way was paved for her by trailblazers in the firefighting world.
Nurse and firefighter Chelsea wears many hats, but they all serve the same purpose – giving back to her community, and helping people.
Written by: B. Shakyaver
