Notre Dame Fire Department adds first two female firefighters

NOTRE DAME, Ind.—The Notre Dame Fire Department has welcomed its first-ever female firefighters, the university said Wednesday.

Christi Shibata and Michelle Woolverton are the 140-year-old department’s first full-time female firefighters.

Shibata, 37, joined the department in July and previously worked as a physical therapist assistant and personal trainer in Michigan. Her sister is Notre Dame Police Chief Keri Kei Shibata.

Woolverton, 42, joined the team in August and is a native of South Bend.

Both Shibata and Woolverton graduated from the Clay Fire Academy and both are certified emergency medical technicians.