In just five years, Erika Higuera has achieved two separate firefighting certifications, became an emergency medical technician and is aiming to become one of just a handful of women fire apparatus drivers.

The mother of three, who works full-time in the medical field, dedicated over 500 hours to the training that goes into these distinctions.

Higuera is also interim president of the Board of Directors at the Ferndale Volunteer Fire Department and books rentals of its hall to help raise funds for new equipment.

To many, that level of dedication is impossible. But for her, it comes naturally.

"I've always...