For Immediate Release

Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2016

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Groveland Fire Department Hires Five Female Firefighters

GROVELAND – Chief Robert Lay is pleased to announce that five women have joined the Groveland Fire Department’s team of call firefighters, making up nearly 20 percent of the 32 member staff.

New to the team are firefighters Alyssa Bosch, Lisa Evans, Jennifer Hicks, Courtney Panaro and Megan Shea.

Firefighters Bosch, Hicks, Panaro and Shea are scheduled to attend the fire academy in the fall.

According to the National Fire Protection Agency, in 2012, only 3.4 percent of career firefighters in the U.S. were women.

“The decision to hire these five women is consistent with our mission, our strategic plan and our organizational transformation,” Chief Lay said. “Whether departments are career or call, doesn’t change the importance of creating a diverse work environment. We’re excited to add these women to our roster of talented firefighters. ”

Firefighter Bosch moved from Beverly to Groveland just under a year-and-a-half ago with her four children and husband Christopher Bosch, who is also a Groveland firefighter. After seeing her husband attend the fire academy last winter, she realized her passion for giving back to the community and decided pursue a career as a firefighter as well.

Firefighter Evans joined the Groveland Fire Department in July. She has been with the West Newbury Fire Department for six years and is now working for both departments. Firefighter Evans received her National I/II Firefighter Certification from the Massachusetts Fire Academy in 2011, is CPR certified and is the Massachusetts Call/Volunteer Firefighters Association Region 2 Coordinator. She earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Merrimack College and currently works as a dental hygienist. Firefighter Evans’ husband, David, is a Deputy Chief on the West Newbury Fire Department and also a member of the Groveland Fire Department.

Firefighter Hicks spent 17 years, from 1996 to 2013, as a certified special education teacher, working to assist students with autism. She has a master’s degree in education from Simmons College and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from St. Michael’s College. Over the last year she earned her EMT certification.

Firefighter Panaro is currently enrolled at North Shore Community College to obtain a degree in Fire Protection and Safety Technology. Her goal, which she set for herself when she was a little girl, is to become a full-time firefighter.

Firefighter Shea graduated from Pentucket High School in 2015. She was first introduced to the fire service through a public safety course during her senior year and then joined the junior firefighter program in West Newbury. She is currently enrolled at North Community College with plans to transfer to Salem State University, where she will pursue a degree in nursing.