ORLANDO, Fla. — Not in Shannon Keesy's dreams did she think, as a woman, she could ever become a firefighter, and especially the Orlando Deputy Fire Chief of Operations.

What You Need To Know

  • According to the International Association of Fire Chiefs, men dominate in fields like firefighting making up 84% compared to only 15% of females

  • Women are often intimidated by those numbers and tend to overlook firefighting as a career

  • Deputy Fire Chief Shannon Keesy grew up in Orlando and now manages seven battalions, 45 fire stations overseeing 400 personal

According to the International Association of Fire Chiefs, men dominate in fields like firefighting, making up 84% compared to only 15% of females.

“I saw the fire truck quite often come to my neighbor’s home, but I didn’t think that, oh, one day I’d be on that fire truck,” said Keesy.

After two decades of fighting fires as a firefighter and as an EMT, she appreciates her biggest supporter over the years.

“My mother was a huge support for me,” said Keesy. “So going through as single mother, I had three little children, as I was going through the fire academy.”

Much of Keesy’s time these days as deputy fire chief is planning with other fire officials at the downtown Orlando station.

She manages seven battalions, 45 fire stations and oversees 400 personal.

Keesey knows she has to be ready at all times herself.

“We have something we call the one-minute drill, and we have to get our gear on in a minute so that we can get off the truck and get to the car really fast,” said Keesy.

Readiness, she takes pride in each and every day.