Dighton Fire Department Welcomes First Full-Time Female

History is being made in Dighton today as Taunton native Sarah Guilmette begins her shift as the first full-time female firefighter for the Dighton Fire Department. It was a winding road to get to this point, and Guilmette is excited to get started.

Early Passion for Firefighting

When Sarah Guilmette was in high school, the old Taunton hospital caught fire and burned down.

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“I just remember watching it happen from the street, and I wondered how it all started,” said Guilmette. “That’s when I realized I wanted to be a fire investigator.”

Guilmette went on to college and majored in fire arson investigation and fire administration, with the goal of becoming a firefighter.

“I had some family on the fire department in Walpole, and my dad said he wished he (became a firefighter) but never did,” said Guilmette. “I went to college and fell in love with the whole aspect of it, from EMS to firefighting.”

New Chapter Begins

For the past three years, Guilmette has been a call paramedic, working part-time hours on the ambulance. Today, she begins her full-time position.

“I’m definitely nervous but mostly excited,” she said. “I took a detour into EMS for a little bit, but this is my full-circle moment.”

I just remember watching it happen from the street, and I wondered how it all started. That’s when I realized I wanted to be a fire investigator.

As far as being the first full-time female for the department, it doesn’t hold much weight for Guilmette.

“I’ve worked with these guys for a while now and I didn’t even realize (I was the first female) until somebody said it to me,” she said.

She has always been on the same playing field as her male counterparts, so for Guilmette, it’s just a matter of securing the job she always wanted.

Dighton Fire Chief Christopher Maguy and the entire Dighton Fire Department sang Guilmette's praises online and wished her a happy, healthy career.

Best of luck to Sarah in her new position.

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