New Documentary Explores 40 Years of Women in the Madison Fire Department

posted March 1, 2023 – 2:01pm

'In Her Boots,' Streaming Now, to Make Theatrical Debut on International Women's Day

The Madison Fire Department and the City of Madison IT Media Team announce the release of its first-ever feature length film, a documentary called In Her Boots.

In Her Boots explores the stories and experiences of women at the Madison Fire Department. This four-decade journey takes viewers behind the scenes and on the front lines with the very first women to become firefighters in the City of Madison in 1978 and 1980. We hear about their time in the Recruit Academy and their first experiences in the firehouse with all-male crews. We learn what inspired them to take a career path less traveled and how they found community and support along the way.

As the years advance, we meet the first women to become firefighter/paramedics, lieutenants, and chiefs, including Madison's first woman fire chief. We find that Madison was the headquarters for a national movement to recruit more women into the fire service and a leader in appointing women to the upper echelons of its ranks. We discover how women navigated uncharted territory, like serving in the line of duty while pregnant, and how their experiences led to new developments like the department's Non-Hazardous Duty and Lactation While On-Duty policies.

In Her Boots introduces us to the trailblazers and visionaries who paved the way for the women who serve our community today. By sharing their stories, these women continue to inspire girls, women, and people of other historically oppressed and marginalized gender identities to consider a career in the fire and emergency medical services.

The film is now available for on-demand viewing on the Madison Fire Department's YouTube channel and Madison City Channel's website. The film will also be available on Roku, Apple TV, Charter Digital 994, and AT&T U-Verse 99 beginning March 8. View the Madison City Channel TV schedule for broadcast times.

The public is invited to attend the film's theatrical premiere Wednesday, March 8 at Mitby Theater (1701 Wright Street) on the Madison College campus during an International Women's Day Celebration. The event is co-sponsored by the Madison Fire Department and other local organizations working toward gender equity in the fire service. Get your free tickets.

In Her Boots was produced to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the first eight women to graduate the Madison Fire Recruit Academy on April 25, 1980, but the story of women on the Madison Fire Department is still being written. Today, the Madison Fire Department employs 56 women (42 commissioned, 14 non-commissioned), comprising 13% of its workforce. While that is higher than the national average, women continue to be an under-represented group in fire and EMS locally.

This Women's History Month, the Madison Fire Department honors the legacy of the women who opened the door for future generations, and it celebrates those who inspire the next generation by serving our community today as firefighters/EMTs, firefighter/paramedics, code enforcement officers, administrative clerks, community paramedics, community education officers, and more. Stream In Her Boots on YouTube and Madison City Channel, or watch on Charter Digital 994, AT&T U-Verse 99, Roku, and Apple TV beginning March 8.

How to Watch In Her Boots on Roku and Apple TV

The Roku channel offers City of Madison live coverage and on-demand content in full HD. Roku is a great option for those without cable television packages to engage in local government.

Add Madison City Channel to Your Roku Channel List

Open Roku.
Go to “Add Channel”.
Search for “Madison City Channel”.
Select “Add Channel” to add Madison City Channel to your Roku channel list.
Enjoy regularly scheduled City Channel programming or explore on-demand content!

Add Madison City Channel to Your Apple TV

Open Apple TV.
Open Apple App Store.
Search for "Madison City Channel".
Select "Get" to add Madison City Channel to your Apple TV. The Madison City Channel app will appear in your Apple TV dashboard.