Excelsior Springs, Mo. – The Excelsior Springs Fire Department (ESFD) is setting a new standard for inclusivity in a traditionally male-dominated field, with women making up 33% of its workforce—well above the national average.
According to data from the National Fire Protection Association and womeninfire.org, approximately 1,041,200 people are employed in fire departments across the U.S. Of those, only 89,600—or about 9%—are women, serving as career and volunteer firefighters. While female representation in the fire service has been steadily increasing, ESFD is breaking new ground by significantly surpassing this percentage.
The department’s female firefighters include Kathryn Stewart, Melody Reese, Emma Harkins, Emily Rice, Mckenna Holdshoe, and part-timers Cori Locker and Bailee Baxter. Each woman has a unique journey in the field, with some just beginning their careers and others, like Reese, bringing over 20 years of experience to the team.
Reese, who is relatively new to ESFD, initially entered the field through her interest in emergency medical services. “I started in this career because of my interest in becoming an EMT and paramedic,” she said.
Kathryn Stewart, on the other hand, originally considered joining the military but ultimately found her calling in firefighting. “My parents talked me out of enlisting, but I realized firefighting filled the niche I was looking for,” she explained. “It allows me to serve my community and my country in a different way.”
For Emily Rice and Emma Harkins, their paths were driven by a shared desire to give back. Both pursued their emergency medical technician (EMT) and firefighting certifications at the Excelsior Springs Area Career Center under the guidance of renowned, now-retired instructor John Potter. Potter, who continues to serve as ESFD’s Assistant Chief of Training alongside Fire Chief Joe Maddick, has been a strong supporter of women in the department.
Beyond the numbers, the presence of women in the fire service brings valuable qualities to the profession. Many of the women at ESFD agree that their contributions extend beyond physical capability, adding an empathetic and compassionate dimension to emergency response.
“Women are caring in nature, maybe just a little bit more than our male counterparts,” said Reese, “We add a softness to the industry.”
Stewart emphasized the importance of having female staff in situations where victims may feel more comfortable receiving care from a woman. “Women who have been through traumatic experiences, like sexual assault, tend to feel safer with us,” she said.
Emma Harkins added that children often respond better to female first responders, especially in ambulance transport. “Compared to one of the big, burly guys who has a five o’clock shadow even though he just shaved that morning,” she joked, “having a female EMT in the back of the ambulance can make a big difference.”
All five women expressed their appreciation for ESFD, describing it as a supportive workplace that offers a strong sense of community. Chief Maddick echoed this sentiment, praising their contributions.
“Having women on our staff benefits everyone,” Maddick said. “They’re a great addition to the force because they can do the same job as the men. I don’t care who you are—as long as you’re willing to do the job, being an EMT, paramedic, or firefighter has nothing to do with gender.”
For those interested in learning more about ESFD or exploring firefighting and EMT training, visit cityofesmo.com or Excelsior Springs Adult Education.
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