Galesburg to swear-in first female firefighter

At 10 a.m. Monday in city council chambers, Haley Stevenson will be sworn in as a firefighter for the city of Galesburg.

She’ll be the first woman – ever – to join the city’s fire department.

Fire chief Randy Hovind said it’s an achievement that’s “long overdue.”

But it’s also a step toward the city’s strategic goal of diversifying its workforce.

The Galesburg Fire Department is expanding its diversification efforts by offering orientations and study groups to help individuals prepare for careers as firefighters.

Information about becoming a firefighter is also posted on the city’s website.

The hope is to reach candidates that otherwise might not be familiar with the process.

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