All Women Crew at Superior Fire Department

SUPERIOR, Minn. — It’s a picture most of us have in our mind the people putting out fires and helping serious crash victims are men.  However, that has not been the case over the past two days in Superior.  The Fire Department Headquarters station has had an all-women crew on duty for the first time.

Suzi Olson, the daughter of a former firefighter, has been with the Superior Fire Department for 22 years. and is now a captain. She’s pleased to have the all-women crew at the headquarters station.

“We’re missing one of our females today,” said Suzi Olson. “I mean it would have been cool to have her here with us and be on the crew with us.  We’re hoping that at some point in time, Char can join us and have a crew of all four female firefighters, but that will be in the future.”

The other two women who were part of the all female shift were both probationary firefighters.

Abby Colsen has been on the force for about eight months, while Bre Kolquist joined six months ago.

As part of their ongoing training, the newest recruits are practicing tying various knots they will use in the field.

“I just kind of threw my hat into the ring when I was still going to school at LSC. I absolutely did not expect to be hired right away, but I’m so happy that I did, But, I’m happy that I did. That I was given the chance and the opportunity is a recent graduate of Lake Superior College,” said Abby Coslen.