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Crime & Safety

Women in Firefighting

Meet two women with careers at the Cobb County Fire Department.

Cindy Carroll, 42, is a firefighter at the in Northeast Cobb. She envisioned becoming a firefighter when she was a 911 operator. After dispatching a number of calls, she had developed professional relationships with law enforcement officers and firefighters. The moment Carroll ventured out on a ride-along with firefighters she knew it was the career for her.

“I weighed 92 pounds when I started,” Carroll said.

Although weight is just another number, Carroll’s dedication and years of accomplishments are not. Within 19 years of service, Carroll is now a Firefighter III and a Firefighter Paramedic. After serving eight and a half years in the field, she now works in the Special Operations Division.

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Carroll says working at the Fire Department is like working with an extended family.  “You learn habits, things they like to eat, and the way they react to calls. You learn each other’s strengths and weaknesses,” she said. “We look after each other.”

Women have established many careers at the department. Public Information Officer Denell Boyd, who works for the headquarters in Marietta, also shares that brother and sisterhood bond.

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“I would do anything for the people I work with," said Boyd.

She joined the department just over 10 years ago when her youngest child of three finished middle school. In the beginning, the transition was a challenge for Boyd.

“It took a lot of getting use to being away from home and sleeping in a place with strangers," she said. “But then it does not take long to realize that you are not strangers. You realize that these are your brothers and sisters."

Boyd said the best thing about her work as the Public Relations Officer is working with people. “I love my job,” she said.

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