Rockford's female firefighters don't have their own showers, a $421,000 upgrade could change that

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) – There are a few ways a firefighter can remove carcinogens when returning from battling the flames.

The first: find an individual bathroom in their station and use the private shower. The second: wait for a locker room, ask a friend to watch (or lock) the door, and use one of the many showers in the space.

Chief of the Rockford Fire Department (RFD). Michele Pankow says the second option works, but prevents other firefighters from cleaning up cancer-causing carcinogens. That’s especially the case because male firefighters can share the locker room while women wait.

A request from the City Council could expand the first option for women at RFD’s Station Six. Chief Pankow is asking council members for $421,000 to transform the city’s largest station (by footprint).

“We want you to have a space where you can have a little bit of privacy, if you want,” says Chef Pankow. She explains that the funding is not intended for male or female firefighters. Instead, the chief expects the renovation to bring the station into modernity.

“We… want our staff to have a place, whether you are male or female,” she says. “But… we want you to have a space.”

Station Six opened in 1973. The first female firefighter did not join the crew until 1978. Because the station was built for an exclusively male workforce, Chief Pankow says the space struggles to accommodate women.

While other Rockford Stations Three, Seven and Nine added private bathrooms, Six still has just one.

U.S. Representative Eric Sorensen (D-IL) visited the facility in September. He was inspired to hear how female firefighters dealt with the shower shortage.

“If we don’t provide the funding we need, we won’t have the next generation of firefighters working in the city of Rockford,” Rep. Sorensen argues.

The American Rescue Plan Act is paying for Six’s renovations, as well as upgrades to fire stations and police stations across the country. Representative Sorensen believes these investments build “sustainable,” safe communities.

“This is an example of where we are making progress,” the lawmaker said. “We are moving forward for the benefit of our entire community.”

After the station visit, Representative Sorensen adds that he made a call Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) to prioritize funding.

Chief Pankow hopes the fire station renovation will welcome more women to the department. Since she joined RFD, approximately 6% of firefighters have been women (18 total).

“I would like to see our department reflect the community we serve,” the Chief said. She plans community activities to improve these statistics.

The City Council’s Finance and Personnel Committee unanimously approved RFD’s renovation request on Tuesday. Council members could vote on the renovation on Monday, November 18.

Representative Sorensen says he will contact Illinois Senators for additional upgrades to the fire station and police station.