Indiana fire department hires first full-time female in its 132-year history

Lisa Jennings was sworn in as a member of the Batesville Fire and Rescue squad by Batesville Mayor Mike Bettice, WXIN reported. Batesville's fire department was established in 1887 and has had several women as volunteers and part-time employees, but Jennings is the first to become a full-time employee, the television station reported.

Jennings, who lives in Bright, Indiana, is a mother of four and graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 2017, WCPO reported. She earned her firefighter certification from the state of Indiana in 2018, the television station reported.

Jennings had been an EMT/paramedic with Ripley County since 2013, WXIN reported. She was also a member of the University of Cincinnati's Health Air Care and Mobile Care Special Events Team, WCPO reported.

“I am really excited to have the opportunity to utilize the education I obtained in fire school, in addition to my paramedic background,” Jennings said in a statement released by Batesville Fire and Rescue.