September 12, 1984

"I've come a long way"

       Pat McDaniel, who was rejected three times before she was accepted as a White River Township firefighter has become the first woman assistant fire chief of the department and the first in Johnson County.  Mrs. McDaniel, who became a permanent member of the department in 1979, was elected to the post by fellow firefighters Sunday.  That’s a big switch from just seven years ago when White River firefighters rejected Mrs. McDaniel’s application to become a permanent fire department member after she finally became a probationary member.  Mrs. McDaniel said the vote shows how things have changed in such a short time.  Although opposition to female firefighters appears to be lessening now, Mrs. McDaniel said she still didn’t think she would be elected assistant chief.

         “It took so long to get accepted, but it is always in the back of my mind that I fought so much opposition to get where I’m at.  I’m still a female breaking new ground wherever I go.”  “I was kind of in shock when I got it.  But after I went outside the fire department I wanted to shout, ‘yea, I did it.’  I’ve come a long way,” Mrs. McDaniel said.  Mrs. McDaniel, who is also Johnson County’s Red Cross director, started applying to be a White River firefighter in 1974.  It took three times before firefighters accepted her application in 1976.  As a probationary firefighter from June 1976 to June 1977, she helped on more than 200 fire and rescue runs.  But when she applied for full membership in June 1977, her bid was rejected by fellow firefighters.  The rejection hurt Mrs. McDaniel and made her bitter, she said, but she kept re-submitting her application every six months so she could go to training sessions.

         In November 1978, Mrs. McDaniel began a second year as a probationary firefighter.  She finally became a permanent member in 1979.  Since then, she has held various positions on the department, including director of public relations and public education and fire inspector.  Last December, she and three other people were nominated for assistant chief.  She lost to Bob Henry.  Mrs. McDaniel’s new duties as assistant fire chief will include handling firefighters’ insurance claims, filling out monthly fire reports, and determining use for fire equipment.  When the fire chief is gone, she will be in charge.  Mrs. McDaniel’s election Sunday occurred after Henry was elected fire chief to replace Steve Shelton, who resigned.

         Howard Bennis and Mrs. McDaniel were nominated for assistant chief.  Mrs. McDaniel was elected by a 7 to 5 vote to finish out the 1984 term before the election in December.  Mrs. McDaniel said she is apprehensive, but believes she will do well.  “I told myself long ago that if I could get through going into a room full of men who don’t want you there when I first applied to be a firefighter, I could do anything,”  Mrs. McDaniel said.  Henry, who was also fire chief from 1981 to 1983, said he thinks it’s time for a woman assistant fire chief.  “I think it’s a good idea to give the ladies a chance.  “I’m sure she can handle it.  We’ll see what happens.”

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