International Women's Day 2025

Amanda Willis
Senior Building Inspector

Tell us about your role.

As a senior building inspector, I play a crucial role in the construction industry and am responsible for ensuring public safety. My duties ensure that all homes, buildings and structures within our community comply with the Ontario Building Code and are constructed to the standards. This critical responsibility requires the meticulous examination and inspection of building construction processes, accompanied by a comprehensive understanding of the Ontario Building Code.

How long have you been with the City?

I am currently in my 13th year of service. I began my career as a permit clerk and rapidly progressed to become the City's first female Building Inspector. I was initially designated as building inspector I, subsequently advanced to building inspector II, and ultimately attained the position of senior building inspector.

How did you get started in your field?

Having grown up with a father who was a home builder, I developed a strong interest in the construction process. I pursued a diploma in architectural technology at Loyalist College and independently prepared for several Ontario Building Code examinations. After that, I applied to the building section as a permit clerk.

What would you say to other women interested in a career in your field?

While traditionally male-dominated, there is a growing presence of women in building inspection roles. I was the first female building inspector at the City of Belleville, and now, we proudly have three additional female building inspectors. The times are indeed changing, and becoming a building inspector is a rewarding pursuit, involving the evaluation of construction projects for safety and compliance.

How many women are currently on your team?
In the building section, 7 out of 12 individuals are female.

Heather Abrams
Administrative Assistant, Transportation & Operations

Tell us about your job.

I work at the City’s Operations Centre, listening to concerns from residents and advising our operations supervisors so they can be addressed as quickly as possible. I also look after recycling and garbage collection, prepare weekly payroll for operations staff, keep track of vacation usage and accumulated time, prepare all invoices, and submit boot allowance and driver's licence medical for reimbursement.

How long have you been with the City? 

I started working for the City in 1994 as a casual at City Hall working in finance and in the clerk’s and mayor’s office. In 2000, I got a permanent position in the public works department and have been here ever since.

How did you get started in your field?

I was working a casual and was looking for a permanent job when this position became available. I have always enjoyed working in a fast-paced, busy environment, so this position interested me. I also like to be able to help people in the community, and this role lets me do that every day.

What would you say to other women interested in a career in your field?

Getting to talk to residents and help address their concerns is very rewarding. It is a very interesting and busy job. I also get to work with great people who are always very respectful. Working for the City allows you to make a difference in your community.

How many women are in your department?

There are 23 women working in our Transportation & Operations Department who are permanent staff, along with a number of casuals.

Crystal Jodouin
General Operator/Truck Driver, Transportation & Operations

Tell us about your role.

 I’m a general operator in our transportation and operations department, driving and operating plow trucks throughout the winter. During the summer, I operate a variety of equipment, doing maintenance throughout the city. 

How long have you been with the City? 

I haven't been with the City of Belleville for very long, but I have 8 years of plow experience and 15 years of truck operation experience.

How did you get started in your field?

I started out as a contractor in utility forestry with the City of Toronto, where I gained relevant experience with tools and equipment. I've always been handy and enjoy working outside, so this is the type of career I followed.

What would you say to other women interested in a career in your field?

Gain as many skills as possible and take lots of courses when you are first starting out in the field. This helps give you an idea if it is something you are interested in and if this is the right career for you.

How many women are in your department?

There are 23 women working in our Transportation & Operations Department who are permanent staff, along with a number of casuals.

Danielle Murphy
First Class Firefighter, Belleville Fire & Emergency Services

Tell us about your role.

Being a firefighter with Belleville Fire and Emergency Services is often unpredictable, demanding, and characterized by a combination of emergency response operations, training activities, and public education. Our department works on a rotating 24-hour shift schedule, working from 8 a.m. to 8 a.m. We are responsible for driving and operating all types of firefighting vehicles, responding to emergencies involving fires, medical emergencies, motor vehicle collisions, hazardous materials, conducting search and rescue operations, performing water rescues, educating the public about fire safety and responding to public service calls. Each member of Belleville Fire and Emergency Services is part of a cohesive team, collaborating closely with our crews to assess situations, make quick decisions, and execute effective response strategies to mitigate hazards and protect life, property, and the environment. We also often assist and work closely with police and paramedics, lending a helping hand where needed in the community.  When firefighters aren’t responding to emergencies, we are responsible for maintaining fire department equipment such as ladders, hoses, rope, breathing apparatuses, extinguishers, personal protective equipment, and all rescue equipment and vehicles. While the work of a firefighter can be challenging, it is also rewarding, as it provides an opportunity to serve the community and make a positive impact on people's lives.

How long have you been with the City of Belleville?

I have been a firefighter with Belleville Fire and Emergency Services for the past six years. I was hired in 2019 and was the first full-time female firefighter for Belleville Fire and Emergency Services.

Prior to becoming a firefighter, I started working for the City of Belleville as a teenager, lifeguarding and teaching swimming lessons. After graduating college, I worked for the City’s public works and parks department for four years before I was fortunate enough to secure my dream job as a firefighter with Belleville Fire and Emergency Services. 

How did you get started in your field?

When I graduated from high school, I knew I wanted to make a positive difference and help others in an emergency setting. When applying for school, the two careers I was interested in were nursing and firefighting. I mulled over the idea of both careers very thoroughly, trying to weigh my options of which I should choose. I discussed my career paths with many individuals, often others pointing a negative finger at firefighting due to my size and how demanding the career of a firefighter can be. That being said, I started my nursing degree and I quickly realized that I really enjoyed helping others, but I didn’t necessarily like being inside in the hospital setting. Every day, I would go to class and be in a nursing lecture while watching the pre-service firefighting students work out or do what looked to me like fun training activities outdoors. There was just something missing from my nursing career choice that I was driven towards, which in my eyes was the physical aspect of firefighting. I have always had a huge passion for sports and physical fitness. I loved working under pressure, problem solving and being depended on. I reevaluated my career choice and started the pre-service firefighting program. Immediately starting this program, I developed a huge passion for firefighting; it was a good combination of both mental and physical attributes. I had found a career which I was so determined to pursue. I wanted to be part of a meaningful organization that has a positive impact on its community, constantly helping others.

After graduating from college, I joined the Tyendinaga Township Volunteer Fire Department, where I volunteered for four years. I trained weekly alongside a great group of guys and they had one of the best training programs, which helped me to develop my skills and hands-on learning experience. Joining the department made a positive impact on developing a bigger passion for firefighting and ultimately pushed me to pursue my career as a firefighter.

What would you say to other women interested in a career in your field?

In 2020, the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs reported that 5.5% of firefighters in Canada were women.  Just because the statistic is a very low number does not mean women should shy away from a career in the fire services. Women can do the job just as well as men. We just have to be competent, knowledgeable in skills, have a constant willingness to learn, be physically fit and be willing to earn the respect of your fellow fire service members. Having more female firefighters will make the service more diverse, bringing with them different perspectives. Being a firefighter, you are part of a team. Teamwork to me, means a group of individuals working together to achieve a common goal or task. The more diverse the group, the stronger the team will be in adapting to situations. Different perspectives and combining everyone’s strengths when problem-solving at different emergencies makes a team more versatile to situations. Having more women join the fire service makes the team of firefighters more versatile, which makes it important for more women to get involved. So, for any women interested in a career in the fire services, follow your dreams, find things that make you stand out more than anyone else in a recruitment process, and want the job so badly that you are willing to put all the effort necessary to achieve it. Never shy away from a learning opportunity, train hard, be knowledgeable with skills and take something away from every recruitment you apply to. Adapt and overcome what may have been holding you back in the previous recruitments. Sometimes you may get discouraged, but keep pushing forward. Career firefighting recruitments are very competitive, but find your fire and never give up!

How many women are currently on Belleville Fire & Emergency Services?

Currently, there are three women who are full-time firefighters for Belleville Fire and Emergency Services: myself and two new female probationary firefighters. There are also a few volunteer female firefighters who are an important part of Belleville Fire and Emergency Services.

Melissa Wakeling
Education and Marketing Coordinator, Glanmore National Historic Site

Tell us about your role.

I have a dual role at Glanmore. Firstly, I am responsible for the coordination, planning and implementation of the museum’s public programs and events, as well as developing and facilitating Ontario curriculum-based school programs. Secondly, I coordinate marketing for the museum, which includes everything from arranging signage, booking and developing advertising creatives, writing magazine articles, and curating social media content.

How long have you been with the City? 

I am in my 25th year of working for the City of Belleville as an education and marketing coordinator at Glanmore National Historic Site. I moved to Belleville for this position in 2000 and I love it here.

How did you get started in your field?

I started working part-time at a community museum while completing my bachelor of arts degree at Trent University. That part-time job launched my interest in working in the field. From there, I studied museum management and curatorship at Fleming College and have since worked at several community museums. In recent years, I completed a certificate in cultural planning from the University of British Columbia. The museum field allows me to apply my creativity while learning new things and working with people of all ages.

What would you say to other women interested in a career in your field?

Follow your dreams. Museums are a challenging sector to break into because there are often funding challenges. You need to think creatively and be flexible and open to opportunities in different places. Society is going through a lot of changes right now in terms of diversity and inclusion, reconciliation, the economy and even our national identity. Museums, as part of the arts, culture and heritage sector, are playing an important part in helping us understand and bridge those changes, making it an exciting time to be involved.    

How many women are currently on your team?

Glanmore’s team consists of five full-time staff of which four are women. Generally, the community museum field does seem to feature more women in the workforce than men.