West Lafayette hires first female firefighter

Lauren Giunta made history Tuesday by becoming West Lafayette's first female firefighter.

Giunta took the oath alongside Jeffrey Lyons and Cody Stacy.

Giunta said her grandfather, a firefighter as she was growing up in Florida, inspired her.

Giunta, who has lived in Shadeland and West Point, said she is honored to be the first.

Asked why it took so long — 120 years — for the city to hire a woman, Chief Tim Heath said women have not often applied, and those who did dropped out of the hiring process or didn't meet the department's qualifications.

"In Lauren's case, we didn't change the test. She earned her position," Heath said. "She impressed us with her background, her skills and her desire to do the job."

Heath said Lyons, of Williamsport, was a firefighter for five years in the Air Force. He was discharged in July.

Stacy, of Benton County, has worked with the Oxford Volunteer Fire Department.