Aimee Dilger | Times Leader Jessica Crawford, center, is congratulated by her 11 children on Thursday after being sworn in as one of the first female firefighters in Wilkes-Barre. Crawford’s husband Michael is also a firefighter and they’ll be the first husband-and-wife team working in the Wilkes-Barre Fire Department. - Aimee Dilger | Times Leader Jessica Crawford and her Wilkes-Barre firefighter husband Michael, right, pose with their family after she was sworn in as one of the first women firefighters for the city Thursday. - Aimee Dilger | Times Leader Jessica Crawford and Danielle Illiano sign paperwork Thursday after being sworn in as firefighters with Wilkes-Barre Fire Department. - Aimee Dilger | Times Leader Jessica Crawford, Danielle Illiano, Christopher Scavone, Mathew Stephenson, Kristen Payton and Richard Machey are sworn in Thursday by Wilkes-Barre Mayor Tony George as city firefighters. - - Aimee Dilger | Times Leader Richard Machey gets a hug and congratulations from his 5-year-old daughter Neala after he was sworn in as one of the six new firefighters in Wilkes-Barre on Thursday. - - Aimee Dilger | Times Leader Christopher Scavone receives his badge Thursday after being sworn in as a Wilkes-Barre firefighter. - - Aimee Dilger | Times Leader Mathew Stephenson continues the family tradition of firefighting as his grandfather Jack Stephenson, a former fire chief in Trucksville, pins on his grandson’s badge after he was sworn in Thursday as a Wilkes-Barre firefighter. - - Aimee Dilger | Times Leader Newly sworn-in Wilkes-Barre firefighter Kristen Payton beams as her grandmother Susan Deubler pins on her granddaughter’s badge during a ceremony Thursday. - - Aimee Dilger | Times Leader Wilkes-Barre Assistant Fire Chief Bill Murtha had the honor of pinning the badge on his son-in-law Richard Machey who was among the six new city firefighters sworn in Thursday at City Hall. Aimee Dilger |Times Leader - - Aimee Dilger | Times Leader Surrounded by their 11 children, Wilkes-Barre firefighter Michael Crawford pins on the badge for his wife Jessica, who was one of the first women sworn in as a city firefighter Thursday. - - Aimee Dilger | Times Leader Danielle Illiano is congratulated Thursday after she was one of the first women to be sworn to the Wilkes-Barre Fire Department. Her husband Maurizio Illiano, left, looks on during the ceremony at City Hall. - -

WILKES-BARRE — As one of the first female firefighters in the city’s history Danielle Illiano intended to leave her mark.

“Gotta make a footprint,” Illiano said, acknowledging the more than 200-year-old department had previously been staffed only by men.

Illiano, 29, joined Jessica Crawford and Kristen Payton in the history-making day Thursday at City Hall where they were sworn in with three new male recruits, Christopher Scavone, Mathew Stephenson and Richard Machey.

To go on duty as firefighter/emergency medical technicians, they’ll have to complete the training course that begins Sept. 3 at the Luzerne County Community College Public Safety Training Institute. Upon completion, they’ll be trained at higher standards than most firefighters nationwide, Wilkes-Barre Fire Department Chief Jay Delaney said.

But they got to this point on their merits, Delaney stressed.

“Specifically to the three female firefighters, you earned the right to be a Wilkes-Barre firefighter/EMT, passing the written entrance examination, as well as the firefighter agility test,” Delaney said. “You did not receive this position due to your gender. You’ll make history today by becoming the city’s first female firefighters.”

The chief noted the significance of the ceremony and what lay in store for the six recruits and the seven others who also were sworn in earlier this month by Mayor Tony George.

“Being a career firefighter, you’ll see the best in people and, in some cases, tragedy. Where the emergency scene may seem chaotic, you will bring professionalism and knowledge to any emergency,” Delaney said.

Not only will the public rely on them, so will the others in the department that have been working overtime shifts with the retirement and relocation of a total of 17 firefighter/EMTs in the past two years. All told, those who’ve left the department had more than 400 years of combined experience, Delaney said.

Local 104 of the International Association of Fire Fighters, the union representing firefighters/EMTs in the department, appreciated the city’s efforts to increase staffing.

“We wish all the new recruits much success in their training in house and at the LCCC Fire Academy,” said union president Mike Bilski. “We also look forward to the day when all have completed their qualifications and join us in the field.”

Payton, 30, who has worked as an emergency medical technician with Cottage Hose Company Ambulance in Waymart, became a paramedic on Monday. “I have tiny feet, but I will,” she said when told of Illiano’s footprint comment.

There was no doubt Payton would distinguish herself said grandmother Susan Deubler, who traveled from Mehoopany for the ceremony.

“I told her all her life she could do whatever she wanted to do,” Deubler said.

“The sky’s the limit for this one,” added Payton’s mother, Kathy.

Jack Stephenson watched his grandson Mathew Stephenson take the oath. The younger Stephenson has been preparing for his career and appreciated the family support.

“I’ve been a volunteer (firefighter) since I was 14 in the Back Mountain,” Stephenson, 27, said. “My grandfather was fire chief in Trucksville.”

The grandfather said his grandson is ready for the job. “He’s had a lot of practice,” Jack Stephenson said.

Firefighting was all in the family for Richard Machey, too. His father-in-law, Wilkes-Barre Assistant Fire Chief Bill Murtha, pinned the badge on Machey.

“I’m looking forward to it,” said Machey, 34.

So was Christopher Scavone. He’s been working as a per diem paramedic for the city. “It was always my goal to have a full-time firefighter position,” Scavone, 49, said.

For the past 19½ years Michael Crawford has been a city firefighter/EMT. He plans to stick around for a bit to see wife Jessica come on board.

“When she comes on, I’ll hit my 20-year mark in February (2020). So I’m going to retire and stay at home with the kids,” Crawford said.

The couple has 11 children: Michael Hayden, Cassidy, Kaelyn, Tucker, Cooper, Hartley, Harper, Jemma, Tessa, Jasper and Ruby. All of them were in attendance to see their mom get her badge.

Michael Crawford was certain his wife was qualified for the job.

“She can handle it. She’s a tough one,” Crawford said, adding unabashedly: “She gets better-looking every day.”

Working together as the first husband-and-wife team in the department was something they’d get used even though it would only be for a short time.

When deciding what she wanted to do when she went back to work, Jessica Crawford had a short list.

“I wanted to do something that would make a difference in the community,” she said.

Jessica Crawford, center, is congratulated by her 11 children on Thursday after being sworn in as one of the first female firefighters in Wilkes-Barre. Crawford’s husband Michael is also a firefighter and they’ll be the first husband-and-wife team working in the Wilkes-Barre Fire Department. https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/web1_TTL083019Firefighters1-2.jpg Jessica Crawford, center, is congratulated by her 11 children on Thursday after being sworn in as one of the first female firefighters in Wilkes-Barre. Crawford’s husband Michael is also a firefighter and they’ll be the first husband-and-wife team working in the Wilkes-Barre Fire Department. Aimee Dilger | Times Leader Jessica Crawford and her Wilkes-Barre firefighter husband Michael, right, pose with their family after she was sworn in as one of the first women firefighters for the city Thursday. https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/web1_TTL083019Firefighters3-2.jpg Jessica Crawford and her Wilkes-Barre firefighter husband Michael, right, pose with their family after she was sworn in as one of the first women firefighters for the city Thursday. Aimee Dilger | Times Leader Jessica Crawford and Danielle Illiano sign paperwork Thursday after being sworn in as firefighters with Wilkes-Barre Fire Department. https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/web1_TTL083019Firefighters5-2.jpg Jessica Crawford and Danielle Illiano sign paperwork Thursday after being sworn in as firefighters with Wilkes-Barre Fire Department. Aimee Dilger | Times Leader Jessica Crawford, Danielle Illiano, Christopher Scavone, Mathew Stephenson, Kristen Payton and Richard Machey are sworn in Thursday by Wilkes-Barre Mayor Tony George as city firefighters. https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/web1_TTL083019Firefighters4-2.jpg Jessica Crawford, Danielle Illiano, Christopher Scavone, Mathew Stephenson, Kristen Payton and Richard Machey are sworn in Thursday by Wilkes-Barre Mayor Tony George as city firefighters. Aimee Dilger | Times Leader Richard Machey gets a hug and congratulations from his 5-year-old daughter Neala after he was sworn in as one of the six new firefighters in Wilkes-Barre on Thursday. https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/web1_TTL083019Firefighters2-2.jpg Richard Machey gets a hug and congratulations from his 5-year-old daughter Neala after he was sworn in as one of the six new firefighters in Wilkes-Barre on Thursday. Aimee Dilger | Times Leader Christopher Scavone receives his badge Thursday after being sworn in as a Wilkes-Barre firefighter. https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/web1_TTL083019FF3-2.jpg Christopher Scavone receives his badge Thursday after being sworn in as a Wilkes-Barre firefighter. Aimee Dilger | Times Leader Mathew Stephenson continues the family tradition of firefighting as his grandfather Jack Stephenson, a former fire chief in Trucksville, pins on his grandson’s badge after he was sworn in Thursday as a Wilkes-Barre firefighter. https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/web1_TTL083019FF4-2.jpg Mathew Stephenson continues the family tradition of firefighting as his grandfather Jack Stephenson, a former fire chief in Trucksville, pins on his grandson’s badge after he was sworn in Thursday as a Wilkes-Barre firefighter. Aimee Dilger | Times Leader Newly sworn-in Wilkes-Barre firefighter Kristen Payton beams as her grandmother Susan Deubler pins on her granddaughter’s badge during a ceremony Thursday. https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/web1_TTL083019FF5-2.jpg Newly sworn-in Wilkes-Barre firefighter Kristen Payton beams as her grandmother Susan Deubler pins on her granddaughter’s badge during a ceremony Thursday. Aimee Dilger | Times Leader Wilkes-Barre Assistant Fire Chief Bill Murtha had the honor of pinning the badge on his son-in-law Richard Machey who was among the six new city firefighters sworn in Thursday at City Hall. Aimee Dilger |Times Leader https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/web1_TTL083019FF6-2.jpg Wilkes-Barre Assistant Fire Chief Bill Murtha had the honor of pinning the badge on his son-in-law Richard Machey who was among the six new city firefighters sworn in Thursday at City Hall. Aimee Dilger |Times Leader Aimee Dilger | Times Leader Surrounded by their 11 children, Wilkes-Barre firefighter Michael Crawford pins on the badge for his wife Jessica, who was one of the first women sworn in as a city firefighter Thursday. https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/web1_TTL083019FF1-2.jpg Surrounded by their 11 children, Wilkes-Barre firefighter Michael Crawford pins on the badge for his wife Jessica, who was one of the first women sworn in as a city firefighter Thursday. Aimee Dilger | Times Leader Danielle Illiano is congratulated Thursday after she was one of the first women to be sworn to the Wilkes-Barre Fire Department. Her husband Maurizio Illiano, left, looks on during the ceremony at City Hall. https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/web1_TTL083019FF2-2.jpg Danielle Illiano is congratulated Thursday after she was one of the first women to be sworn to the Wilkes-Barre Fire Department. Her husband Maurizio Illiano, left, looks on during the ceremony at City Hall. Aimee Dilger | Times Leader

First 3 female firefighters sworn in

By Jerry Lynott [email protected]

Reach Jerry Lynott at 570-991-6120 or on Twitter @TLJerryLynott.

Reach Jerry Lynott at 570-991-6120 or on Twitter @TLJerryLynott.