In Rotterdam, woman breaks gender and age barrier as fire lieutenant

PHOTOGRAPHER: Marc Schultz

Danielle Jachlewski, 22, is the first female lieutenant ever in the Carmen Fire Department. Her dad, RJ Jachlewski, right, is a former chief of the department.

When she was a child, Danielle Jachlewski would watch raging flames be extinguished to smoking ash from the safety of her grandfather’s truck.

At the time, he was a member of the Carman Fire Department.

Jachlewski joined the all-volunteer department in Rotterdam in 2010, became a sergeant in 2014, was elected as lieutenant last November, and started in the role on New Year’s Day.

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‘I grew up around the firehouse, and it made me want to join as soon as I could.’

— Danielle Jachlewski

She is the first female to hold the position in the department’s history, and at age 22, she also is the youngest to hold the title. She will take the oath for the rank at the department’s banquet on Saturday.

The department has about 45 active members.

“I grew up around the firehouse, and it made me want to join as soon as I could,” Jachlewski said. “It’s amazing to see people running out of somewhere knowing I’m going in.”

Danielle’s grandfather, the late Raymond Jachlewski, served with the Carman Fire Department for 59 years, and was its former chief.

Her father, RJ Jachlewski, has served in the same department for the past 37 years and was fire chief in 1996 and 2006.

Danielle said that serving with her dad is special.

“It’s the best feeling in the world because we’ve fought fires together, and I have his back and he has mine,” she said. “I’m so lucky because it’s not even like we’re father and daughter; it’s like we’re best friends.”

Growing up, Danielle said she watched her father and grandfather help people to safety, and she dreamed of carrying on the family legacy.

Her fellow firefighters elected her to a one-year term as lieutenant; she said she spends 40 to 50 hours a week in the position.

“For men to put faith in a female in the fire service is very rare,” Danielle said. “To think men feel a female could do this role is one of the biggest honors in the fire service.”

“When I first joined, I was the only female firefighter,” she continued. “I’ve proven that females can do it, and now, there’s five of us.”

The new Carman Fire lieutenant said as a 5-foot-11-inch, 120-pound woman, she’s had to work to earn the respect of her male counterparts.

“It was tough when I first started as a sergeant,” said Danielle, who also is a state corrections officer recruit and a volunteer EMT in the Carman Fire Department. “I was often told, ‘I don’t have to listen to you; you’re a girl.’ They felt I didn’t have the same strength, and I don’t in my arms, but I do in my legs.”

Danielle said she and her fellow firefighters carry about 80 pounds of gear on their backs.

“Women can do it; they just have a different way than men,” she said. “If I can do it, anyone can.”

Danielle said the job is physically and emotionally taxing, but worth it.

“Knowing you’re helping someone on the worst day of their life is what keeps you going,” she said. “You have to put yourself in their shoes and realize you’re pulling up to a scene where someone is losing something. It really makes you grateful for what you have.”

“I’m so proud of her,” RJ, Danielle’s father, said Wednesday. “She’s following in my father’s and my footsteps and is the third-generation.”

RJ said his father passed away in 2013.

“Dad was there when she first got sworn in,” RJ said. “I know he’s up in heaven, smiling down. He will be on Saturday, too, as she’s carrying on the family tradition.”

The Jachlewskis have 101 years of service at the Carman Fire Department among the three of them, which is longer than the department has been in existence, RJ said.

RJ said his daughter has changed the dynamic of the department, which was incorporated in 1933.

“Now, the brotherhood will embrace any females that come along,” he said. “The brotherhood is now also a sisterhood.”

With proper training, RJ said women firefighters can be just as successful as men.

“You have to have the physical endurance, but it’s also about the drive,” he explained. “Our line of work takes a certain amount of caring, and more than anything, it takes heart.”

Danielle said she plans to run for lieutenant again, and after getting a few more years of experience, hopes to work her way up to fire chief.

“If I get overwhelmed at a scene, I close my eyes, count to 10 and take a deep breath,” she said. “It’s a hard job, but I love to help people, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”

Reach Gazette reporter Kate Seckinger at 395-3113, [email protected] or @KateSeckinger on Twitter.