Lt. Christine Zimmer recently became the first female officer in the history of the Jerome Township Division of Fire. She said she hopes she is an example to young women that they can pursue their dream careers, even if they are in male-dominated fields. (Photo submitted)
Jerome Township Fire Chief Douglas Stewart thinks of Lt. Christine Zimmer as a trendsetter.
She says she’s simply following the trail blazed by those before her.
Zimmer recently became the first female officer in the history of the Jerome Township Division of Fire.
Still, she’s quick to acknowledge the women who have inspired her: Molly Williams, who was enslaved in New York City before becoming the first female firefighter in 1815, and the women who became volunteer firefighters to take the place of men called to the military during World War II.
“It’s amazing to see how far we’ve come,” she said. “I’m humbled.”
Becoming a firefighter was a lifelong goal for Zimmer.
“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do since I was young,” she said.
Zimmer said her cousin, who was a firefighter in Sandusky, took her on a ride-along and invited her to spend the night at the station while she was in high school.
She didn’t see any female firefighters there, but it didn’t deter her.
“I just fell in love with it,” she said.
Zimmer said she hopes she can now fill the void that she witnessed as an aspiring firefighter. She said she wants the girls in Jerome Township to see women at the Division of Fire and know they can serve their community, too.
“It’s hard to be what you can’t see,” she said.
Stewart said he is certain that Zimmer will be a role model for not only the young women in the community, but the firefighters she commands.
“I’ve been in fire service for about 40 years,” Stewart said. “A lot of people join because it will be fun and (they) are here for the glory.
Zimmer, though, “has the ability to lead outside of her title.”
Stewart said he has known Zimmer since she was working as a paramedic at Delaware County EMS, while he was a firefighter at the City of Delaware.
He said he has always been confident in Zimmer’s ability and is struck by her desire to “go out of the way to improve” herself.
That became abundantly clear during the interview process, Stewart said.
Candidates for the lieutenant position must take a written test drawn from three manuals before progressing to an assessment that includes mock teaching scenarios and interview questions.
Stewart noted that Zimmer’s interview took place seven days following a “major operation.” He said she was fighting through severe pain and still stood out as the best fit for the position.
“She beat out a lot of really good candidates,” Stewart said. “She earned her position, 100%.”
The Chief said Zimmer is a leader who will help shape the future of Jerome Township. He said she invests meaningfully in her crews and the township as a whole.
Stewart added that Zimmer is in “a pivotal position” because she is learning from her superiors while teaching those she supervises.
Especially with the upcoming construction of a second fire station, Stewart said he trusts putting this additional responsibility “on her shoulders.”
“She has character… and she is a character,” he said with a laugh.
Lt. Justin French agreed.
He said he first met Zimmer while they were helping a family on a “tragic occasion.” French said he was deeply impressed by her dedication to the family and her ability to be “so calm under pressure.”
“She was phenomenal,” he said.
Zimmer said she is thankful to be surrounded by male firefighters, like Stewart and French, who support and empower her.
She said they have helped her overcome the “intimidation factor” that can come with breaking into a male-dominated field.
Now, Zimmer said she “fits in with one of the guys” and they share many of the same interests.
“I have to give the guys credit,” Zimmer said. “They always push me.”
“She’s a person that makes that easy,” French responded.
He said Zimmer’s promotion is a “natural progression” that reflects the increasing diversity in the township.
Zimmer said she hopes she’s at the start of a trend that will only continue.
“If you have passion, you can prove to anybody that you can do anything,” she said.