Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department
4100 Chain Bridge Rd, Fairfax, Virginia 22030
Phone: 703-246-3801, TTY: 711 and Fax:703-385-1687
Duty PIO (Weekends/After-hours): 703-280-0694
Media Information Line: 703-324-3000
Email: fire-rescue.PIO-LSE@fairfaxcounty.gov
Website: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fire

03/14/2007

Women Firefighters Honored for 25 -Year Milestone
(First women firefighters to complete 25 years of service)

The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department will honor two women firefighters for reaching a milestone of 25 years of service, Tuesday, March 27, 2007, at 8:30 a.m., Massey Building, A-Level Conference Room, 4100 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, Virginia. Battalion Chief Christine N. Woodard, EMS Operations, A-Shift; and Master Technician Barbara G. Schirmacher, Fire and Rescue Station 12, C-Shift; will be recognized for being the first women to reach this significant achievement with the organization.

The program will include remarks from Chairman Gerald E. Connolly, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors; Supervisor Penelope A. Gross, Mason District; Interim Fire Chief David L. Rohr, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department; Ina G. Fernández, Director, Fairfax County Office for Women; and Master Technician Jill F. Young, President, Fairfax County Women Firefighters' Association.

Fairfax County hired its first woman firefighter 28 years ago. Battalion Chief Woodard and Master Technician Schirmacher were members of the 56th Recruit School. The 122nd Recruit School will graduate April 23, 2007. There are now approximately 145 women firefighters in the Department.

News representatives will have an opportunity for interviews.

For more information, call Daniel L. Schmidt or Lieutenant Raúl G. Castillo, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, 703-246-3801 and TTY 711. Fairfax County is committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of disability in all county programs, services and activities. Reasonable accommodations will be provided upon request.