Groveland Fire Department adds 5 female firefighters

GROVELAND, Mass. — Groveland's fire department welcomed five new staff members Tuesday morning -- all of whom are women.

New team members Alyssa Bosch, Lisa Evans, Jennifer Hicks, Courtney Panaro and Megan Shea are all set to attend the fire academy in the fall.

The national fire protection agency noted in 2012 only 3.4 percent of career firefighters in the United State were women.

Groveland's chief Robert Lay says the hires are part of the department's mission.

"Whether departments are career or call, doesn't change the importance of creating a diverse work environment," Lay said in a press release. "We're excited to add these women to our roster of talented firefighters."

Here's a look at each firefighter from Groveland:

• Firefighter Bosch moved from Beverly to Groveland just under a year-and-a-half ago with her four children and husband Christopher Bosch, who is also a Groveland firefighter. After seeing her husband attend the fire academy last winter, she realized her passion for giving back to the community and decided pursue a career as a firefighter as well.
• Firefighter Evans joined the Groveland Fire Department in July. She has been with the West Newbury Fire Department for six years and is now working for both departments. Firefighter Evans received her National I/II Firefighter Certification from the Massachusetts Fire Academy in 2011, is CPR certified and is the Massachusetts Call/Volunteer Firefighters Association Region 2 Coordinator. She earned a bachelor's degree in accounting from Merrimack College and currently works as a dental hygienist. Firefighter Evans' husband, David, is a Deputy Chief on the West Newbury Fire Department and also a member of the Groveland Fire Department.
• Firefighter Hicks spent 17 years, from 1996 to 2013, as a certified special education teacher, working to assist students with autism. She has a master's degree in education from Simmons College and a bachelor's degree in psychology from St. Michael's College. Over the last year she earned her EMT certification.
• Firefighter Panaro is currently enrolled at North Shore Community College to obtain a degree in Fire Protection and Safety Technology. Her goal, which she set for herself when she was a little girl, is to become a full-time firefighter.
• Firefighter Shea graduated from Pentucket High School in 2015. She was first introduced to the fire service through a public safety course during her senior year and then joined the junior firefighter program in West Newbury. She is currently enrolled at North Community College with plans to transfer to Salem State University, where she will pursue a degree in nursing.

Cox Media Group