Women began joining the fire service in Elkton in the 1970s, entering the all-male Singerly Fire Company ranks as first responders. These trailblazers started with emergency medical services but soon expanded into firefighting. Over forty years later, they are found driving the apparatus, entering blazing buildings, providing pre-hospital acute care, and commanding incidents.
It certainly was a milestone in fire service history, as the first trailblazers met the challenge of leading the way. Those fire department pioneers in Elkton, beginning with the first two waves in 1975 and 1976, were Doris Swyka, Rosemary Culley, Helen Atkinson, Ann Boulden, Ruby Spry, and Shirley Herring.
After completing an intensive EMT course, this group learned the ropes and passed a demanding examination. Soon, they were answering ambulance calls alongside male colleagues. They never considered it a big deal, but in later years, other young women joining the fire department had female first responders as role models, which wasn’t available to those 1970s trailblazers. Also, in a few more years, additional women joined to become firefighters.
Along these lines, another entry was added to the record on Feb. 2, 2015, when Michelle Walker-Ewing became the chief of Singerly Fire Company. The 38th commander to take operational charge of the Elkton unit was also the first woman to attain the top rank in the county. Assuming the leadership reigns came naturally for the veteran commander, with both volunteer and career experience. Chief Ewing started as a rookie in 1981, joining the Community Fire Company of Rising Sun when she turned 16.
At a time when the service was mostly male, the recruit worked her way up the ranks, acquiring credentials as a firefighter, EMT, and paramedic. She also launched a career in the Cecil County Dept. of Emergency Services. After 26 years of service there, the chief retired as the deputy director, the agency’s second in command.
For More on Women in the Fire Service, see
Martha Finley, Joined the Fire Company in 1892
Note
The first women in the fire service in Elkton, serving with the Singerly Fire Company (along with the date of acceptance as a probationary member).
Helen Atkinson, Feb. 2, 1975
Ann Boulden, Feb. 2, 1975
Ruby Spry, Feb. 2, 1975
Rosemary Culley
Shirley Herring, Nov. 10, 1975
Doris Swyka, Jan. 12, 1976