Sister
In A
Brotherhood
Stories from My Life as a
Female Firefighter
Cindie Schooner-Ball
Inspiration from a Life as a First Responder
A groundbreaking female firefighter, Cindie Schooner-Ball lived for the thrill of riding backwards on a fire truck, code 3 with lights flashing, sirens wailing, and horns blasting, heading towards that ominous cloud of black smoke.
In this captivating memoir, she vividly describes these high-adrenaline experiences and the stunned look on onlookers’ faces when she got off the truck, put on her hood, face mask, and helmet, and they realized she was a woman.
Hired in June 1987 by a large urban Fire-Rescue Department in South Florida, Cindie rose through the ranks as a firefighter, driver-engineer, paramedic and lieutenant while also earning a degree in fire science. She retired as a captain in 2015 after 28 years on the force.
Throughout her career, she had been asked so many questions about how she managed to excel while working in this male-dominated profession that she decided to write Sister in a Brotherhood to share her story. Cindie recognized early that in order to succeed as both a firefighter and a woman would require perseverance, grit, and the ability to command respect.
You will understand why firefighting is Cindie’s calling and passion when you read this inspiring book. She shares memorable moments in working and living with other first responders who are dedicated to helping people in crisis.
Cindie encourages anyone who wants to serve — especially women who have the desire to enter this noble profession — to pursue their dream, as she did.