By Tim Kowols

Overcoming a challenge is nothing new for Lieutenant Ashley Bittorf. The promotion to lieutenant made Bittorf the first female officer in the history of the Egg Harbor Fire Department. She has been with the Egg Harbor Fire Department since she was a senior in high school and has since joined Door County Emergency Services as a paramedic. Certified in high/low angle technical rope rescue training and fire inspections, Bittorf expects a learning curve to her new role.

Only 7.3 percent of firefighters are women according to the National Fire Protection Association, but Bittorf advises girls to use that as motivation to prove people wrong if they do not believe they can make it in the field.

Picture courtesy of Egg Harbor Fire Department Facebook page