There's a bit of a revolution in the field of firefighting and it's at its most obvious at one of Tamaqua's four fire stations.

It's not a new type of truck or a specialized piece of equipment. It's actually the volunteer firefighter who dons the turnout gear, as more and more women are becoming active firefighters instead of auxiliary members.Tamaqua's South Ward Fire Company has approximately 40 active members. Of those, 14 are women.Ask volunteer firefighters why they run into a burning building while most people are running out and you'll get some variation of, "I guess it's in my blood" or "I just want to help others."Those themes run throughout the fire service, no matter the age or gender of the firefighter, especially when it comes to volunteers.If you're the victim of a fire, you just want someone to put out the flames, quickly. Do you really care if the person handling the hose, climbing the ladder or rescuing you is a man or a woman? Can you even tell the difference once they are encased in turnout gear?Firefighter turnout gear doesn't discriminate. It makes everyone look the same.The Tamaqua's South Ward Fire Company also doesn't care about your gender. They're just looking for people who are willing to do the job.They've found them in Maria Derr, Amy Ciavaglia, Kim Haldeman, Kayla Hartz, Madison Berk, Sara Haldeman, Bethany Moore, Rachael Paisley, Kiyah Davis, Airyel Amentler, Jennifer Fritzinger, Kristy Melchior, Mary Begley and Tara Schlorf.While not all of the women are comfortable putting on that turnout gear, the majority have passed the Essentials of Fire Fighting Course.The others work behind the scenes. Whether it's photographing and documenting the company's events and fire call responses, keeping the air bottles full or caring for equipment, each fills a vital position.Their storiesOne member, Bethany Moore, was in third grade when her family's apartment caught on fire. The firefighters' response that day compelled her to learn more about being a volunteer."I didn't know women could be firefighters too, so I started by volunteering to help with fundraisers," Moore said. "Some of the other women went through training and inspired me to go through the training too. We may be tiny, but we are mighty!"Maria Derr's grandfather was a member of the South Ward, so she's always been around the firehouse. She started helping her grandmother, a member of the auxiliary. She then moved on to "filling the air bottles, making sure they were cared for properly."She wasn't sure she could physically handle the firefighting job, but decided to try when she realized the scarcity of volunteers during the work day hours. She discovered she could do the job and found ways to compensate for her lack of height.Amy Ciavaglia's family members have been volunteer firefighters for three generations, so she "grew up in that world."Then, she married an active firefighter and decided to join him. "It's truly a Brotherhood and a Sisterhood," Ciavaglia said.Sara Haldeman's family has been involved with firefighting for four generations, all with the South Ward.She credits her father for the inspiration to continue the tradition.Kayla Hartz also comes from a family steeped in the firefighter tradition. It was a fire on Railroad Street, where 18 people lost their homes and possessions, that convinced her to follow in her family's footsteps.Kim Haldeman married a firefighter. Rather than sit at home while he was at the fire station, she went along so they could spend more time together. It didn't take long for her to decide to join in "the fun," especially as the men offered continued encouragement."I think a lot of people don't realize that women are able to do this job, but we are certainly capable."Maddie Berk says, "It's just a stereotype that firefighters should be men. Women are just as capable."She encourages other women to "follow your heart" and do whatever you can to help others in need."Rachael Paisley is the company's "official photographer," a job she took over when Kim Haldeman moved up to the firefighter position. She too became involved through a friend. She "likes to be involved in the community."Kiyah Davis started out volunteering at fire scenes with the Salvation Army. When she realized some of the firefighters were women, she began looking into the possibilities.Not old enough at first, you must be at least 18 to be a firefighter, she "had plenty of time to think about it. I decided I wanted to try and this place has become like a second home to me."The "Boyz on the Hill" have now become the "Boyz and Girlz on the Hill.""Volunteer fire companies can use every man or woman they can get. There are plenty of non-firefighting assignments," says Fire Chief Mark Bower."Women in the fire service don't get enough credit. They do a fantastic job. They make us look good."