Celebrating International Women’s Month: Women on the Frontlines
International Women’s History Month is a time to celebrate and recognize the achievements of women across different industries, particularly male-dominated fields. In the EMS workforce, female police officers, female paramedics, and female firefighters continue to break barriers, showcasing their strength, skill, and resilience in high-pressure scenarios.
Today, Miovision highlights two incredible female EMTs from the Region of Peel in Ontario, Canada. We asked them to share their experiences as first responders and discuss the challenges and triumphs that have stood out and defined their careers.
Women in First Responder Roles: Progress and Challenges
First-responder roles—whether firefighting, policing, or paramedicine—have been male-dominated fields. However, female firefighters, female police officers, and female EMTs now make up a growing percentage of the first responder workforce, bringing essential skills, empathy, and leadership to these important roles.
According to the Canadian Health Workforce Network, 64% of paramedics are males, with 36% females. This is expected to rise further as more young women join the workforce and recruitment prioritizes diversity and inclusion.
Despite the progress, women in EMS still face challenges in gender-based discrimination, physical demands, and workplace culture shifts. Yet, their dedication and professionalism continue to reinforce that they belong on the frontlines. Learn more about these challenges and progress in Women in EMS.
The Role of Miovision in Emergency Response
Miovision’s technology, particularly Opticom Emergency Vehicle Preemption (EVP), plays a vital role in supporting first responders. Optimizing traffic signals for emergency vehicles, EVP cuts response times, helping paramedics, firefighters, and police reach people faster and safer. In busy cities, this technology can save lives.
To gain deeper insight into the experiences of women in EMS, we spoke with two paramedics from the Region of Peel—Carla McTaggart, an Advanced Care Paramedic, and Emily Lamarre, a Primary Care Paramedic—about their journeys, challenges faced, and the moments that have stuck with them throughout their careers.
Question: What inspired you to become a first responder?
Carla: My journey started in high school when I had the opportunity to observe local paramedics by riding with them in the ambulance during a co-op program. On day one, seeing the paramedics in action sparked my passion. I realized I wanted to help others in their most critical moments and make a real difference in people’s lives.
Emily: I’ve always known I wanted to be a paramedic. I loved the idea of helping people before they got to the hospital. I love the thrill of driving an ambulance, and it satiates my need to move around. I grew up with a supportive family, and they were essential to my motivation to get where I am. My mum told me I could do anything I put my mind to.
Have you faced any challenges as a woman in this field? How have you overcome them?
Carla: A common challenge that a woman in the paramedic community faces regularly is the perception that I may not be as physically strong as my male counterparts. Many female paramedics (including myself) tackle this by focusing on lifting techniques, endurance, communication with lifts and teamwork, as opposed to brute strength.
Emily: There were some challenging parts at first, such as the physical demands. Sometimes, we have to lift people much larger than ourselves, and maintaining a level of physical fitness where I can do that has been the best challenge for me. Since this job is more seen as a “man’s job,” sometimes when I walk into someone’s home for a 911 call, I’m met with some version of “where are the men?” The best thing to do to overcome those challenges is prove their assumptions wrong.
How has the industry changed for women since you started?
Carla: I’ve been a paramedic for over 20 years, and in that time, I’ve seen significant changes with women in the industry. The paramedic community has become more inclusive, with more women entering and excelling in the profession. Leadership opportunities have also expanded, proving that we bring a wealth of knowledge, skills, and valuable perspectives to the paramedic world.
Emily: I’ve been lucky enough to come into the job at a time when paramedics are diverse as a workforce. At work, I’m surrounded by capable and smart people of every gender identity, race, and religion. It’s been great to see the job thriving (at least where I work).
What’s a moment in your career that has stuck with you?
Carla: Every baby that I’ve delivered are moments I will cherish. I’ve delivered six babies in my career. I have their tiny faces embedded in my memory.
Emily: When I started my career, one of the first 911 calls I responded to was a childbirth. It was stressful, but my partner and I had each other’s backs as we tended to the mother and, eventually, her new baby.
How do you manage the stress and emotional toll of your job?
Carla: I manage my stress and the emotional toll of being a paramedic in many ways. I have a great support system of fellow first responders, friends, and family, whom I reach out to. I also enjoy hiking, biking, and painting to decompress on my days off. I also regularly see my psychotherapist.
Emily: I’m so lucky to have fantastic support from my family and friends. I also manage stress by working out, going for hikes or paddleboarding, playing with animals, or baking. I also find therapy to be a great way to manage stress and debrief on some of the bigger-ticket items taking up real estate in my brain.
Recognizing Women in Emergency Services
Carla McTaggart’s and Emily Lamarre’s stories highlight the dedication, resilience, and passion that female EMTs, female police officers, and female firefighters bring to emergency response. As we celebrate International Women’s Month, it’s essential to recognize the progress made and continue advocating for inclusivity and support for women in EMS and all first responder roles.
Organizations like Women in Fire and Women in Emergency Services work to support and empower female first responders, ensuring they have access to the resources and networks needed to thrive in their careers. Additionally, learn more about the history of women in firefighting and women in policing to understand the journey of breaking barriers in these fields.
At Miovision, we’re proud to contribute to the safety and efficiency of first responders through cutting-edge traffic management technology. By improving response times and reducing road risks, we help support the incredible women and men who put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe.
During International Women’s History Month and on International Women’s Day, let’s honor the contributions of women like Carla and Emily, who are paving the way for future generations of female EMTs and first responders.