A mother of four has been announced as the first female firefighter in the Cordele Fire Department. Firefighter Abbey Patterson said she never expected to make history by working in a field that has always been a dream.
Patterson said: “I want other women and young girls to be able to look at me and go if she can do it, I am able to hit any goal that I may set for myself.”
Patterson, a stay at home mom of four, has worked as a volunteer firefighter since 2018. Patterson says that opportunity made her fall in love with the idea of being a full-time firefighter, but life got in the way.
She shared: “I had four kids in four and a half years. I more or less put myself on hold to be a mom.
“As my kids are starting to get older, I looked at my husband, and I said OK, I’ve been mama for the last 5 years, it’s time to be Abbey for a little while.”
Her firefighter’s passion for the job outweighs the challenges.
“My goal with this entire job is to be a light for others when they are at their lowest points. I want to be that hand to pick them up and say dust yourself off, it’s going to be okay.”
Patterson not just a firefighter, but in May, she will have her certification as a licensed EMT.
Firefighter Abbey Patterson has made history as the first female firefighter for the Cordele Fire Department.
She spoke of her role saying that she had been a mama for the last five years and knew it was time to be Abbey for a little while, putting her aspirations first.
