Lakeland’s first female firefighter, Jenny Hayes, gave up her career to raise a family.

Tiffany Hayes, her third born child, went on to play in the WNBA. 

“I have four kids, I’m proud of all of them; the sacrifices I made to be with my kids, was worth it," Jenny Hayes said.

Hayes was recruited into Lakeland’s Fire Station 1 in the 1980’s. She was one of two women attempting to pass the required physical test to become a firefighter.  

“I was a single parent at the time,” said Hayes. “There was this guy named Marty Pass (who) 0was working as a firefighter and he said they had no women, all you need to do is pass the test.” 

Hayes said there were two tests. The first she describes as a “common-sense” test and the second was a physical test. She was the only woman to pass both. 

“It was hard and I knew it would be so I practiced on my upper body strength," she said. "It was physical, you had to drag a hose full of water from one point to the other, lifting, going through a maze.” 

After several years in fire service Hayes left to raise her family. She has been working at Fed Ex as a driver for over 20 years. 

“I really like it,” said Hayes. “But I wish I would have stayed with the fire department; everyone who I worked with back then is retired now.” 

There are currently 151 active firefighters in Lakeland; of that number only 7 are women. That is below the national average of female firefighters in a city. 

“It’s about 90% men nationwide,” said Lakeland Fire Marshall Cheryl Edwards. “There are departments across the state that have programs that pay for women and minorities to become certified.” 

Edwards became Lakeland Fire Department’s Fire Marshall five years age. She is the first woman at her station to hold that title. 

“I had a five year plan,” explained Edwards. “We’ve met pretty much everything on the plan, still have a few things left but I do want to obtain that 30-year mark so I am currently in deferred retirement but I still have a few things I’d like to see through for my division.” 

Igniting Change is a program that encourages women like Edwards and Hayes to join the firefighting family.

“Our department is promoting igniting change which is geared toward helping young women understand that this is a possibility for them," Edwards said. "They can be successful here. I’m glad our current administration is so responsive to the need of women in the fire service.”

The Igniting Change program is currently looking for women and minorities.