News>AF firefighter: 'Girls can do whatever guys can do'
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Airman 1st Class Emily Beckerjeck, a firefighter with the 31st Civil Engineer Squadron, is one of a number of women currently serving in non-traditional career fields at Aviano Air Base, Italy. As a firefighter, Beckerjeck responds to aircraft, airfield and structural fires, hazardous material incidents, search and rescue missions and the many everyday tasks required of any male firefighter, to include carrying gear that can weigh up to 75 pounds. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Katherine Tereyama/Released)
Airman 1st Class Emily Beckerjeck, a firefighter with the 31st Civil Engineer Squadron, is one of a number of women currently serving in non-traditional career fields at Aviano Air Base, Italy. As a firefighter, Beckerjeck responds to aircraft, airfield and structural fires, hazardous material incidents, search and rescue missions and the many everyday tasks required of any male firefighter, to include carrying gear that can weigh up to 75 pounds. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Katherine Tereyama/Released)
by Senior Airman Katherine Tereyama
31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
3/13/2013 - AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy -- A Women's History Month celebration is currently being held at Aviano, honoring women's equality and achievements throughout history. This is part one of a four part series, highlighting the accomplishments of women in today's Air Force.
"If something happens and you're in a fire, it doesn't matter who's next to you, as long as you can trust they can get you out," said Airman 1st Class Emily Beckerjeck, 31st Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter.
A number of women like Beckerjeck are currently serving in non-traditional career fields at Aviano, contributing to the Air Force mission every day with their hard work and dedication, working side-by-side with men in jobs that, a few decades ago, were not available to women.
As a firefighter, Beckerjeck responds to aircraft, airfield and structural fires, hazardous material incidents, search and rescue missions and the many everyday tasks required of any male firefighter, to include carrying gear that can weigh up to 75 pounds.
Beckerjeck's motivation to become a firefighter stemmed from the idea of women's equality, and proving "that girls can do whatever guys can do."
"There's no limit anymore," she said.
Since the job is very physically demanding, she and her fellow Airmen must train every day to build up their strength and ensure they are able to carry out the mission, said Beckerjeck.
Firefighters at Aviano work 24-hour shifts and are often required to spend holidays and special occasions away from their families.
Despite being separated from her family in the States, Beckerjeck says that the firefighters here have taken her under their wing.
"It's not a brotherhood anymore, since I'm in it," she said. "Now it's just a family."
Beckerjeck and her firefighter family frequently welcome children into the fire station for tours and demonstrations. Beckerjeck also recently visited a school in Roveredo to educate children about her job as a firefighter and share her story as a woman serving in the military.
"I love being an inspiration to little kids, especially little girls," said Beckerjeck. "It's so awesome when they say 'I want to be just like you when I grow up.'"
And thanks to women like Beckerjeck, now they can.
