Less than 5 percent of the state's firefighters are women. Tina Cook, the president of Fire Service Women of Pennsylvania, would like to see that number grow.

Mrs. Cook is one of three women volunteer firefighters in Mt. Lebanon's department. That number has fluctuated over the years, rising to as many as five, according to Chief Nick Sohyda.

Fire chiefs all around southwestern Pennsylvania say women volunteers are welcome, especially at a time when many departments are struggling to hold onto their members.

"We've had as many as three ladies," Moon Fire Chief Charles Belgie said. "But often they get married and move."

While his department is once again all male, he'd encourage new female volunteers.

Although women have been serving as firefighters for 40 years, Mrs. Cook said it is still difficult to be the first woman to join a fire department. Lack of women in a department discourages women from considering volunteering there, she said.

Firefighting is a family activity at the Cook home. Mrs. Cook's husband, Tom, is a full-time lieutenant with the Mt. Lebanon department. The community has a combination paid-volunteer department.

She became involved with firefighting 12 years ago through her ex-husband.

"I like the challenge," she said. "And it is a good way to get involved with the community."

Some communities sponsor Citizens Fire Academies as a recruitment and public information tool.

Mt. Lebanon, for example, offers a nine-week program about once every two years to introduce residents to what the firefighters do and how they train, Chief Sohyda said. Participants get experience in safely handling hazardous materials, removing accident victims from vehicles and operating equipment.

Wexford Volunteer Fire Co., in Pine, is inaugurating a free two-session academy starting next Thursday. Additional information is available through Tim Flaherty, the township's fire marshal, at 724-625-1636, Ext. 135.

Programs such as the citizens academies offer a good way to introduce women to firefighting, Mrs. Cook said.

"The challenges that women face are similar to those in other organizations that are traditionally male -- there will be guys who think you can't do the job and you'll have to prove yourself," she said.

Edward Mann, the state fire commissioner, has seen progress in recruiting female volunteers during the nine years he has served in his post.

"We are far better off than we were 10 years ago," he said.

Among the signs of progress was the formation of Fire Service Women and its annual weekend conference at the State Fire Academy in Lewistown.

The first conference for women firefighters was held in 2003, and the organization was incorporated in 2005.

The group estimates there are about 500 to 600 paid and volunteer female firefighters across the state.

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