DeLand, Florida, a few years ago welcomed its first Black female firefighter in 147 years with the historic appointment of 24-year-old Dejah Woods.
Starting her role in 2021, Woods has become a trailblazer in a field traditionally dominated by men.
Woods, who dreamed of becoming a firefighter since she was a child, expressed gratitude for the warm reception she received from her colleagues.
“It may be rare for me, but the guys welcomed me with open arms. They don’t treat me any different than anyone who has been working here for 15 years,” she said.
Out of the city’s 49 firefighters, Woods is one of only three women and four minority members. She hopes her achievement inspires young girls and women in her community to follow their dreams.
“If I can be that person to let little girls know that it’s a possibility, that you can be where I’m at too, that’s definitely something that I’d want to do,” Woods said.
Fire Chief Todd Allen praised Woods for excelling in all phases of the recruitment process, including rigorous physical and written tests.
“She rose to the top of both independent interview panels,” he noted.
The DeLand Fire Department is actively working to increase diversity within its ranks. Allen shared that the department has been engaging with local organizations, recruiting at colleges, and leveraging social media to attract more women and minorities.
“This has been a profession that’s been highly dominated by white males, and we see those barriers breaking,” Allen said.
National statistics from the National Fire Protection Association reveal that only about 4% of firefighters are women and just over 8% are Black, underscoring the significance of Woods’ accomplishment.
Woods is now setting her sights on making a lasting impact in her new role, both as a firefighter and a role model for her community.
