Douglas Fire Department makes history

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

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.