Brenda on the Job Bunker Gear

Brenda Berkman is a captain in the Fire Department of New York. She is responsible for supervising firefighters at fires and at other emergencies. She also handles inspections, training and evaluations of firefighters, oversees equipment and responds to the community when there are questions or complaints.

Besides literally climbing ladders, firefighters can also climb the ladder from one rank to another in the fire department. Each rank requires more education and long hours of studying for the civil service exams. The higher up you move, the more responsibility and higher pay you will receive. Brenda has succeeded in moving up to the high rank of captain.

For Brenda, it took jumping a major hurdle before she could even set foot on a ladder. When she wanted to become a firefighter, there were very few, if any, women firefighters. Brenda, however, determined that she could do this job and do it well, challenged the system. She believed there should be a job-related test for all firefighters. It took winning a lawsuit in court before the fire department developed a test, which she worked hard to pass.

"When I grew up firefighting was not a career option for women. When I was finally able to apply, I did so because I knew what a terrific job it would be and because I knew I would be a great firefighter," says Brenda, who after 20 years takes great pride in her position today.

Since there were no female firefighters when Brenda grew up she was inspired by women in the military and female athletes such as tennis star Billie Jean King.

She believes that you should motivate yourself by working hard to overcome any obstacles that stand between where you are and what you want to achieve. "Becoming a firefighter will give you tremendous personal satisfaction," says Brenda, who has been honored by many fellowships, awards and teaching opportunities.