Lieutenant Becomes First Woman Assigned to a Rescue Company

“The key to this job, and to life, is to always work hard. Hold fast to your dreams, and remember that you can’t get anywhere alone. I’ve received a tremendous amount of support and I’m looking forward to this new assignment. I’m very grateful to have been given this opportunity and I will continue to do everything I can for this Department and the people of New York City,” said FDNY Lieutenant Adrienne Walsh, a 20-year veteran of the FDNY, who today became the first woman in FDNY history to be assigned to an FDNY Rescue Company, Rescue 1. Previously, Lt. Walsh was the second woman in FDNY history to be assigned to Special Operations Command, Squad 18, and the first woman to be promoted to Lieutenant within the Command in 2005.

To date, there are currently 72 women Firefighters serving in the FDNY, the largest total in Department history.