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Oct. 18--Judy Brosnan's firefighting days soon will be over, but she's finishing with a milestone.
On Wednesday, she will be the first female firefighter to retire after 20 years, department spokeswoman Eve Rodriguez said.
"It's an accomplishment," said 1st District Chief Jose Santiago. "I've known her for a long time .. she gave it her all."
Tuesday was Brosnan's last official day at Engine Co. 112 in the 3800 block of North Damen Avenue. She said one of the things she'll miss is the excitement. "I never know what's going to happen," she said.
This turning point would be hard to imagine 20 years ago, when she joined a department with only one woman among more than 4,000 men. Now there are more than 5,000 members, including 320 women, Rodriguez said.
As an engineer, Brosnan, 53, drives the fire engines when she's not managing the intricate network of valves and pumps aboard.
Out of 523 fire engineers, 19 are women, said department spokesman Larry Langford.
Brosnan's husband, Michael, said she's a tough cookie.
"She got a hip replacement last year. Titanium," he said. "She swims now." She has run in 11 marathons and has been featured in Runner's World magazine, he said.
Throughout her career, Brosnan was often the only woman, but she never complained, Santiago said.
Those close to her weren't surprised by her dedication to public service.
"Our father, a brother and a sister were police officers," said Brosnan's sister, Maureen McCarthywho also is a Chicago firefighter. "It's in the family."
tyang@tribune.com
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Copyright (c) 2006, Chicago Tribune
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