By Kathy Mulady
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

Susan Rosenthal was all smiles this afternoon at City Hall as she was recognized and honored as Seattle’s first woman firefighter to rise to the rank of assistant chief (first reported here yesterday).

She called it “the best day of my life.”

Rosenthal, who recently bought a house and moved to West Seattle after years of living in Wallingford, was one of the first few women hired by the Seattle Fire Department in the 1970s. (On the card in the photo atop this story, she is the firefighter in the front, with the hose.) “We were told it would require strength and stamina. Now I know that meant more than just muscles,” she said.

Later, Rosenthal, known as “Susie” to most of her friends, told WSB that when she was hired, there was a lot of emphasis on being physically strong.

Over the years, Rosenthal said she also came to understand the additional importance of strength of character and strength of conviction. As far as stamina – “I’ve been here for 30 years.”

In her new role, Rosenthal will oversee the Fire Alarm Center, Human Resources, finance and information technology.

Rosenthal said she was working as a welder, a job she really didn’t like, when she heard that the fire department was encouraging women to try out. She said she saw the firefighter career as an opportunity for a mental and physical challenge.

There were few women in the fire department when she started. Now about 10 percent of Seattle’s firefighters are women. Many who joined the department in the early days are nearing retirement.

Bonnie Beers, Seattle’s first female firefighter, was hired in 1977 and retired about a year ago. Beers was at the celebration today, organized by the women of the Seattle Fire Department, and appropriately held in the Bertha Knight Landes Room at City Hall, named for Seattle’s only woman mayor:

Beers (left foreground in above photo, with Rosenthal at background center) said the new assistant chief has what it takes: “She has good skills, she is very diplomatic and extremely good at what she does,” said Beers.

Bill Schrier, the City of Seattle’s information technology director and a West Seattle resident, said not only is Rosenthal a “closet geek” who knows more about the technology at the city’s fire alarm center than even he does, said she was also on the spot to call 911 when he seriously injured his arm in a bike accident not long ago. “See you at the Metro Market in West Seattle,” he said.

SFD Chief Gregory Dean said Rosenthal was simply the best choice for the job. “She and I are both evidence that anyone in this job can achieve anything,” he said.

Melissa Woolsey (above left), who was named Seattle Firefighter of the Year last year and has been with the department seven years, said she admires the women who blazed a trail for her and others. “They moved some big boulders out of the way for us. They are great role models,” she said.

Several City Councilmembers took time out to attend the celebration.

Councilmember Sally Clark said it is a big deal for anyone to attain the rank of assistant chief, that she is a woman who came up through the ranks of the department just makes it all the nicer. “She is so sharp and so dedicated,” said Clark. “It is a big deal.”