Union City VFD Names First Female Fire Chief

Union City Volunteer Fire Department, Union City PA

In Union City, Pennsylvania, there's a trailblazer in the fire service. She’s one of the only female fire chiefs in our area.

Kayla Hawley, a 3rd generation firefighter, was recently named the first female fire chief of the Union City VFD.

Her journey has been shaped by family, friends and mentors, helping her climb the ranks in what's traditionally been a male-dominated field.

"There were a ton of women prior to me that really paved the way," stated Kayla Hawley, Union City VFD fire chief. "It was not easy to be a female in the fire service, and sometimes it still isn't, but I am very fortunate to have a strong support team, including my department."

Hawley began her firefighting career when she was just 14 years old, entering into Union City’s Junior Explorer program. She said that she was inspired by her grandfather, parents, and mentors including Jim Edwards II, a longstanding member of the VFD who recently passed away in November.

“Jim and I had a conversation about five years ago, we were talking about the potential of a female being a chief and how that would make history," recalled Hawley. "He was a massive history buff and so it’s extremely bittersweet that he’s not here to see this.”

Today, Hawley is a full-time ER nurse at Saint Vincent’s Hospital, handling everything from emergency calls to leadership responsibilities— all the while working to encourage more women to consider careers in fire service.

"Every girl, every woman should know that there is no limit to what you can do," Hawley said. "You really can be whatever you want to be. Gender means nothing, you just have to push yourself.”

As the Union City VFD currently boasts a staff that is 75% women, they are proving just that.

Chief Hawley and her entire department hope that her leadership and team’s diversity will inspire others to step up, especially as EMS and fire services recruitment numbers remain critically low nation-wide.