March marks Women in the Trades Month, a celebration of the growing number of women pursuing careers in traditionally male-dominated fields. Throughout the month, Questar III BOCES is spotlighting female Career and Technical Education (CTE) students who are building skills, breaking barriers, and paving the way for even more young women.
Women make up less than 5% of all skilled trade workers in the United States. But this number is rising, as more women attend career and technical education and trade schools. With the country facing a shortage of skilled trade workers, women are helping to fill the gap, bringing their talent, perspectives, and skills to the table.
Cassandra Norton is a Fire Science student at Donald R. Kline Technical School from Cairo-Durham CSD.
Cassandra Nostrand is a junior in the Questar III BOCES Fire Science program at Donald R. Kline Technical School from Cairo-Durham Central School District. She is also an active member of the Cairo Fire Department. Cassandra was exposed to the fire service at a young age.
“I was probably 5 or 6 hanging out (at the fire house),” Cassandra shared. “It was imprinted on me at a young age; it made me realize what I wanted to do. I really liked being around them.”
The Fire Science program is a one-year program available to juniors and seniors in Columbia and Greene Counties. Offered in partnership with the counties, it gives high school students the unique experience to earn their Basic Exterior Fire Operations (BEFO) certification during the school day over the course of a 10-month school year. This is the most basic certification required of firefighters in New York State. When a student takes the course on their own, they first must wait for the county to offer a class, hope it fits into their schedule, and find their own transportation. While doing this will take less time to complete, it doesn’t offer as much in-depth training, nor does it explore other fire service skills outside of the BEFO course.
“We’ve been doing ladders, throwing water, and forced entry lately,” Cassandra said. “This spring, we’ll do search and rescue, even though it’s not part of the BEFO course. We get a little more freedom to do more because we have so much more time in the course.”
Of course, new firefighters can also learn these skills directly through their fire department drills. But learning them here prepares them even more when they step foot into their firehouse.
“You don’t get as much hands-on time at the firehouse,” Cassandra said. “I also think it’s more hands-on here than (firehouse) drills. I think coming here to get hands-on and then going back there helps a lot.”
In addition to learning basic firefighting skills, students are also exposed to career options within the industry. While becoming a volunteer or paid firefighter is a clear pathway, others include EMS or 911 Dispatchers. Not only does learning about this help when making career decisions, but it also provides a clearer understanding of how the agencies work together.
“We went to the Greene County 911 Center,” said Cassandra. “It was a lot calmer there than I thought, and I thought there would be more people. But it was a good experience.”
L-R: Isabella Briggs, Rhianna Edelman, and Cassandra Nostrand work with clinical instructor Liza Dwon to tie knots around a saw as they practice safe tool hoisting techniques.
Cassandra is one of three female students in the Fire Science program. They also have a female clinical instructor to look up to for inspiration, Liza Dwon, who works alongside their teacher, Greg Fox.
“Mr. Fox is fun to be around, but I like it when Ms. Dwon is here, too,” Cassandra explained. “I think having a female instructor really helps. Izzy, Rhianna, and I are pretty close with her.”
Being just one of three females in the class didn’t bother Cassandra, especially since she knew the other two girls. Still, she felt the need to show her classmates what she was capable of.
“I think we all put in a fair amount of effort,” Cassandra said. “I did have to prove myself. I think they underestimated me because I’m small.”
Next year, Cassandra will be returning to Questar III BOCES to join the EMT program, a one-year program for seniors. After high school, she plans to enter the workforce and would like to become a paid EMT or Paramedic, while continuing to volunteer with her local fire company.
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