Montclair firefighter becomes the first woman in over a century to hold supervisory role
She joined the department in 2019 and became just the fourth woman in its history.
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A firefighter in Montclair is making history in the township’s fire department.
Natasha Richardson has become the first woman in more than 140 years to hold a supervisory position in the Montclair Fire Department as a supervisory fire inspector.
"It's amazing, it's very exciting. I think it's a step in the right direction for females in general," Richardson said.
She joined the department in 2019 and became just the fourth woman in its history. Richardson is currently the only female firefighter in the department.
She says her promotion is not only a personal accomplishment, but also an important step forward for women in the fire service.
Before joining the department, Richardson says she often found herself as the only woman in the room.
"I was the only female out of 600 males to get through the process. I was the only female in my academy that was professional," she said.
Her decision to become a firefighter was inspired by a traumatic experience during a shooting, where she helped others get to safety. She says that moment pushed her toward a career focused on helping and protecting people.
Now, the Montclair native oversees inspectors and helps make sure buildings and residents across the township stay safe.
Richardson says this promotion is only the beginning, adding that she hopes to one day become a fire official or even chief.
