In this special Women’s Issue, we step inside the firehouse to meet four women who have defined their lives through service. They are more than first responders; they are strategists, survivors, and mentors who have claimed their seats at a table once reserved for others. Their stories prove the fire service isn't just a career—it’s a calling that requires a resilient heart and the courage to show up for the community on its worst days.
Ashley Howells: A Heritage of Service
Sandusky Fire Department | 5 Years
For Ashley Howells, the wail of a siren was the soundtrack of her home. As a third-generation firefighter, following her father and grandfather, Ashley’s introduction to the service happened long before she wore a uniform.
“Some of my earliest memories are going on calls with my dad—back when that was part of the culture,” Ashley shares. “I remember handing out water bottles and shagging hose as crews pushed inside. It never felt foreign; it felt like home.” Growing up in the department gave Ashley a perspective most outsiders never see. She witnessed the heroics, but also the reality of sacrifice. She watched her father save lives, but also stood by as he processed the weight of loss.
This exposure forged a deep understanding of responsibility. For Ashley, it wasn’t a question of if she would pursue this path; it always felt like a calling. Now five years into her tenure at the Sandusky Fire Department, she views her role through the lens of family. “Being a female firefighter means being part of a crew—earning your place and being adopted into a family with a common mission,” she says. Her mantra remains simple: “How you do one thing is how you do everything—so give 100% effort, always.”
Gia Gennari: From Patient to Provider
Huron Fire Department | 28 Years
Gia Gennari’s journey began from a stretcher. Transported by Life Flight at age seven, and again at ten, she was fascinated rather than terrified. She watched the pilots and nurses with wonder, knowing even then she wanted to be part of that life-saving world.
That resolve was cemented at sixteen when she was inside a home struck by a tornado. Watching emergency crews navigate the chaos was a turning point. “Being in a male-dominated field wasn’t new to me,” Gia notes, having grown up with four older brothers. “The department became my family, and the firefighters became my brothers.”
Over her 28-year career, Gia has never stopped pushing boundaries. She earned her flight paramedic certification and spent 11 years with University Hospitals Medevac, returning to the skies that inspired her as a child. Today, she is focused on the next generation. “I had great mentors, and I want to be that for young girls wanting to join,” she says. Despite nearly three decades on the job, the spark remains: “I still feel the rush. I still love the job.”
Tara Torres: The Courage to Pivot
Perkins Township Fire | 5 Years
Tara Torres is proof that it is never too late to redefine your future. Stepping into fire school in her early 30s, she felt intimidated as a woman older than most of her peers. But she pushed through, starting as a volunteer where she found an unexpected sense of belonging.
“Those departments pushed me to grow and believe in myself,” Tara recalls. Her career was gaining momentum when she hit a wall: a severe training injury. For many, a setback involving surgery and eight months of recovery would be the end. “It was devastating, both physically and mentally,” she says. “But I didn’t quit.”
Through recovery, Tara discovered the true depth of the firehouse family. Perkins Township Fire stood beside her until she could return to duty—stronger than ever. “Perkins isn’t just a department; it’s home,” Tara says. Her journey reminds every woman that there are no shortcuts—only the resilience to keep going when stopping would be easier.
Amber Gardner: A Promise Kept
Port Clinton Fire and Rescue | 5.5 Years
Amber Gardner’s path began with a battle for her own life. After surviving cancer, Amber made a promise: if given a second chance, she would spend it serving others. “Becoming a firefighter is how I live out that promise,” Amber says. “It allows me to show up for people on their worst days.”
For Amber, the job is about proving strength isn’t a gendered trait—it’s a matter of heart. When she joined, she found more than a career; she found a family. “These are the people who have my back, and whom I trust with my life,” she explains. Beyond the calls, Amber feels a responsibility to the girls watching from the sidelines. She wants them to realize they belong here, too. “It’s a calling, a purpose, and a commitment to serve.”
In the fire service, there is a common truth: fire doesn’t know gender.