Douglas Fire Department makes history

By Trisha Maldonado

Douglas Dispatch
Published/Last Modified on Wednesday, August 29, 2012 5:11 PM MDT


Kyla Staggs made history last week when she became the Douglas Fire Department’s first female firefighter.


Kyla Staggs made history last week when she became the Douglas Fire Department's first female firefighter. She began working for the DFD Aug. 19. Trisha Maldonado/Douglas Dispatch

Staggs, 22, from Tucson, is the second female to pass the entrance exam for the fire department but the first to be hired by the DFD which has been serving the City since 1902.

She graduated from Sahuaro High School in Tucson. After graduating she joined the Marine Corps Reserves where she has served for over four years. She is currently ranked a Corporal.

Being around guys all day long is no big deal for me, she said.

“I always thought it would be a cool thing to do, I never really planned on doing this until I got back from the Marines,” Staggs said. “I like the lifestyle and the bond that you build with everyone you work with.”

“The call volume is here is higher than I thought; it’s actually busier than I thought” she said, about her first week on the job.

Staggs enjoys the excitement of being a firefighter and knowing that she can make a difference in saving someone’s life.

“I get to save lives, and it’s good to know that you can help someone,” she said.

Douglas Fire Chief Mario Novoa feels that Staggs will be great asset to the DFD.

“I think our patients are going to feel much better when they see her coming on board,” he said. “I can’t wait for fire prevention month in October when she is actually able to go to all of the schools and talk to all the kids and to be a positive role model for both boys’ and girls’ in our community.

“It’s pretty exciting, but at the same time I feel like I can’t mess up, everyone has been awesome, they even gave me my own restroom,” Staggs said.

 

Comments

    retired firefighters wife wrote on Sep 5, 2012 8:18 PM:

    " I was not bashing Ms.Staggs in even the slightest degree. I am proud of her and I am proud of the other women who have worked for DFD. I trust my husband and always have. Our concerns at the time were because we wives were not sure a woman could do the work of a man in a "man's" job and save our husbands if the worst thing was to happen.We did not know what to expect. We were proven wrong and I am so happy we were. I wish Ms. Staggs the best and I am surpised that people thought I meant anything except that. They read too much into thinking everyone would be against her. When in actuality most posts on here also congratulate her. Welcome Ms Staggs and don't let the others get you down. "

    Oli wrote on Sep 5, 2012 4:28 PM:

    " WELCOME! "

    taxpayer wrote on Sep 5, 2012 3:38 PM:

    " TO; CHIN UP KYLA,
    THANK YOU SO MUCH. AMEN TO THAT!!!!!! "

    Chin up Kyla wrote on Sep 4, 2012 2:21 PM:

    " A young lady applies with Douglas Fire, passes all the tests and outscores everyone else. She never used name-dropping, never asked for "special accommodations" and never expected DFD to lower its standards because she is female. She simply proved she was better qualified and got the job. Here, she gets lots of negative comments from has-beens, bitter wives and never-weres. No wonder Douglas has such a bad reputation. Don't worry, Kyla, the negative people here do not represent Douglas as a whole, just a very small but very noisy minority. You will do the job just fine; we got your back. Remember this quote from Don Quixote: "The dogs are barking; it's a sign we're moving". "

    To no trust wrote on Sep 1, 2012 4:01 PM:

    " "Everybody will be in your business" the way you are doing that with your blog. "

    Confused wrote on Sep 1, 2012 3:57 PM:

    " We are in the year 2012 and you are proud of this. This shouldn't even be newsworthy. The fire chief should be ashamed that this is just occurring. Please spare us the news when the first Asian, African American. etc. is hired. If we were back in the 50's this would be newsworthy. That million dollar truck rotting away in your garage should be a reminder of what century we are currently in. "

    Taxpayer wrote on Sep 1, 2012 1:59 PM:

    " As I recall DFD has never had a full time female FF/EMT on board. Testing process is written, oral boards and agility, all that must be passed with a certain score.And the local women who have tested have not completed /passed the physical part of it. So sad that a wife of Ex FF makes these comments. So sorry for you, any other other wifes, for not having confidence in your husbands, I call this, " Insecurity". I think all the community should be greatful that DFd such educated and professional staff and be thankful for all have we. These Firefighters are ready to respond to fire,any emergency, acccidents, and even participate in the local parades. All these people with negative comments are not happy with themself and always have negative due not accomplishing something for themself in life. SO LIVE, LAUGH AND SMILE! "

    Tanya Duarte wrote on Aug 31, 2012 5:00 PM:

    " I worked for DFD as a Seasonal FF/EMT 1996-2000. I assume the retired FF wife is referring to me and Norma who is a Medic/FF with SVFD. Yes we were the first female FFs(not ems drivers), but Kyla is the first full-time non-seasonal female FF. I wish her the best of luck and I know that she is working with some of the best Firefighters around, she will do great. And to retired firefighters wife, I appreciate you remembering us. It was a privilege to be with Douglas Fire Department as a FF/EMT. "

    No Trust wrote on Aug 31, 2012 2:09 PM:

    " Mrs. Retired FF's wife,

    Judging by your first post, you and other fire fighter wives have marital issues. It is too bad you cannot trust your husband when he is not around.

    Maybe the Chief was forced to go out of town to make this hire. Was anybody qualified from Douglas? I am glad he did not lower his standards to hire someone's cousin. My life and your life depends on having the best people for the job.

    Good luck, Ms. Staggs. Welcome to the fish bowl where everybody will be in your business. Learn Spanish, too. The cowards in Douglas will talk about you in Spanish right in front of you. "

    AZ kid 2 wrote on Aug 31, 2012 10:55 AM:

    " I also worked at DFD in the '1990s and early 2000's.... I believe the two outstanding women that worked there were EMS drivers... not Firefighters. it is also my understanding that the new firefighter is the first to pass all testing requirements and get hired as a full fleged firefighter. not an EMS driver. Great Job Ms. Staggs! "

    retired firefighters wife wrote on Aug 30, 2012 4:43 PM:

    " Perhaps you didn't understand that I was saying that those two women that worked with my husband were firefighters at DFD during the late 90's.
    I don't understand why DFD forgets about them like they had never worked with women firefighters at DFD before.
    I know that they went to schools for presentations as well.
    I think its great that they have another female firefighter, too bad it took so long that even the Chief forgot about the others. "

    betcha wrote on Aug 30, 2012 3:24 PM:

    " I bet she'll get all the experience she needs here and then return to Tucson. "

    OOH RAW wife wrote on Aug 30, 2012 12:28 PM:

    " Congratulations to Chief Novoa and to this awesome young lady! "

    Happy Female wrote on Aug 30, 2012 12:16 PM:

    " TO: RETIRED FIREFIGHTER WIFE: FIRST OF ALL CONGRATULATIONS TO CHIEF NOVOA AND STAFF FOR MAKING HISTORY FOR THE CITY OF DOUGLAS. NEW LADDER TRUCK AND FOR THE FIRST FEMALE FIREFIGHTER!!! AND IT IS ALL ABOUT WORKING AS A TEAM FOR THE SAFETY OF THE RESIDENCES OF THIS COMMUNITY. THE FACT IS WE HAVE A FEMALE WORKING FOR DFD, WAY TO GO MS. STAGGS. "

    douglas citizen wrote on Aug 30, 2012 11:56 AM:

    " Why did you give the job to someone from tucson? there are people right here in douglas who need jobs. give jobs to our local pobres!!!! "

    unknown wrote on Aug 30, 2012 9:40 AM:

    " Why all this bragging about her now if the men there have never gotten the comments like this before from the chief. Our men have done so much and have risked there lives so many times for this city. The people here are happy to see them knowing that they are there to help them. THE CHILDREN BOTH BOY'S AND GIRL'S HAVE BEEN EXCITED TO SEE THEM AND THEY HAVE BEEN A GREAT POSITIVE ROLE MODEL WHEN OCTOBER COMES AROUND FOR FIRE PREVENTION MONTH IN OUR COMMUNITY. Don't get me wrong its great that she was able to get the job but she had to do the same thing they did to get the job.Women wanted to be equal well they are they dont need to be brag about in the paper just like the guys haven't been. "

    jen wrote on Aug 29, 2012 11:46 PM:

    " Good heavens! What year is this, anyway? DFD just now managed to find one qualified woman? I bet they were looking really hard. For the past 40 years! "

    J.J. wrote on Aug 29, 2012 9:40 PM:

    " You Go Girl! Happy To have you here in Douglas and representing, God Bless You! "

    retired firefighters wife wrote on Aug 29, 2012 8:02 PM:

    " Not to take anythiing away from the great accomplishments of this young lady however, my husband worked for DFD and in the late 90's he worked with two remarkable women firefighters. One went on to Sierra Vista and the other to Arizona Ambulance. I don't know where they are now but they really broke the barrier because us wives were not kind to them. We did not like the idea of women working with our husbands, but they proved themselves to be brave and strong and really good people and firefighters. Congratulations Ms. Staggs, we are proud to have you here. "

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