Melissa Lawlor — Crackyl Magazine

Give us a slice of your pre-shift routine.

I don’t have a “shift.” My call to action is 24/7/365. The day usually kicks off with a strong cup of British breakfast tea – OK, let’s be honest, it’s three cups – paired with research articles, policy drafts, or prepping a presentation on firefighter health. One minute I’m consulting with an agency about reproductive health accommodations, the next I’m deep into curriculum design, grant writing, or fire commissioner business. If I can catch a fire or EMS call, I’m there. I also make time for the firehouse kitchen table. It’s where the real work happens. Listening matters. Everything happens at that table.

Beyond the physical demands common to all firefighters, what specific challenges or opportunities have you encountered as a woman in this profession, and how have you navigated them?

Let’s just say that navigating a male-dominated world with ovaries, opinions, and leadership credentials is definitely an adventure. I’ve faced misogyny, paternalism, and the kind of invisible labor that rarely gets recognized but always gets done. I’ve been spoken over in boardrooms and underestimated in leadership spaces. The physical demands are no joke, especially now that I’ve aged into the “strategic stretching is mandatory” season of life. I’ve navigated all of it by doing the inner work: learning myself, growing through mistakes, communicating with clarity, and leading with both grit and grace. I cry (often alone). I hold myself accountable. And I stay fierce when it comes to the causes I believe in. I am an imperfect human being doing my best to do the right thing.

How do you approach and maintain your physical and mental readiness for the job, and what unique strategies or resources do you utilize that might resonate specifically with other women in demanding careers?

I don’t have this all figured out. I suck at boundaries, ha! Physical readiness looks like biking, yoga, and what I lovingly call strategic escapes to recenter. Mental readiness means carving out time to be alone, letting myself just be, and protecting my peace. I keep a tight inner circle. Just a few people who truly see me and let me show up messy and tired. That kind of trust is everything. For women in demanding careers: find your person, claim your space, and stop apologizing for needing rest.

Looking back at your journey into the fire service, what advice would you give to young girls or women considering a career in firefighting today? What are the key lessons you’ve learned that you wish someone had told you earlier?

I joined my volunteer fire department in 1992, at 19 years old, in search of purpose. Looking back at that girl now, I’d hold her tight and say: You are worthy. You matter just the way you are. You’re smart. You’re brave. Don’t let anyone dull your enthusiasm – not even the ones who feel threatened by it. Their jealousy is theirs to work through, not yours to carry. There will be calls that wreck you – let the tears come. Write it down. Keep growing. Stay curious. Train your body to carry the weight of this job. Protect your circle – trust is earned and sacred. And finally, take time for you. The calls will always be there.

What does ‘sisterhood or ‘allyship’ mean to you within the fire service, and how has the support of other women, or male allies, impacted your career and overall experience?

Sisterhood is showing up with ace bandages, ice, and medical tape when you sprain your ankle. It’s the women who want to see you succeed – who cheer you on, believe in you, and lift you when you doubt yourself. It’s locking eyes with someone across the room and instantly feeling your anxiety settle, because you know they’ve got you. Male allies have also played a crucial role in my life, especially those who listen, create space, and use their voices to promote inclusion.

The fire service, like many professions, is constantly evolving. What advancements or shifts within the fire service – whether in technology, training, or culture – do you believe are most beneficial for supporting and empowering women in the field, and what still needs to change?

Reproductive health is finally becoming part of the fire service conversation. It is my goal to help bring visibility to the unique occupational risks women face in this job: fertility, pregnancy, miscarriage, lactation, hormonal impacts, peri/menopause and long-term health outcomes. We’re beginning to see policy changes and better accommodations rooted in science and equity supported by state and federal laws. But we still have a long way to go. Culture change takes time and courage. I am here to be a change agent for progress.

Give us a slice of your pre-shift routine.

Beyond the physical demands common to all firefighters, what specific challenges or opportunities have you encountered as a woman in this profession, and how have you navigated them?

How do you approach and maintain your physical and mental readiness for the job, and what unique strategies or resources do you utilize that might resonate specifically with other women in demanding careers?

Looking back at your journey into the fire service, what advice would you give to young girls or women considering a career in firefighting today? What are the key lessons you’ve learned that you wish someone had told you earlier?

What does ‘sisterhood or ‘allyship’ mean to you within the fire service, and how has the support of other women, or male allies, impacted your career and overall experience?

The fire service, like many professions, is constantly evolving. What advancements or shifts within the fire service – whether in technology, training, or culture – do you believe are most beneficial for supporting and empowering women in the field, and what still needs to change?

Give us a slice of your pre-shift routine.

Beyond the physical demands common to all firefighters, what specific challenges or opportunities have you encountered as a woman in this profession, and how have you navigated them?

How do you approach and maintain your physical and mental readiness for the job, and what unique strategies or resources do you utilize that might resonate specifically with other women in demanding careers?

Looking back at your journey into the fire service, what advice would you give to young girls or women considering a career in firefighting today? What are the key lessons you’ve learned that you wish someone had told you earlier?

What does ‘sisterhood or ‘allyship’ mean to you within the fire service, and how has the support of other women, or male allies, impacted your career and overall experience?

The fire service, like many professions, is constantly evolving. What advancements or shifts within the fire service – whether in technology, training, or culture – do you believe are most beneficial for supporting and empowering women in the field, and what still needs to change?

More from Crackyl

Give us a slice of your pre-shift routine.

Beyond the physical demands common to all firefighters, what specific challenges or opportunities have you encountered as a woman in this profession, and how have you navigated them?

How do you approach and maintain your physical and mental readiness for the job, and what unique strategies or resources do you utilize that might resonate specifically with other women in demanding careers?

Looking back at your journey into the fire service, what advice would you give to young girls or women considering a career in firefighting today? What are the key lessons you’ve learned that you wish someone had told you earlier?

What does ‘sisterhood or ‘allyship’ mean to you within the fire service, and how has the support of other women, or male allies, impacted your career and overall experience?

The fire service, like many professions, is constantly evolving. What advancements or shifts within the fire service – whether in technology, training, or culture – do you believe are most beneficial for supporting and empowering women in the field, and what still needs to change?

More from Crackyl