First woman firefighter of Pune

In a profession where muscles and masculinity often take centre stage, women like Meghana Mahendra Sakpal have proved their worth and capabilities. Meghana has engraved her name in history as the first and the only female firefighter in Pune. Breaking through the glass ceiling, she has paved the way for future generations of women to embark upon exceptional professions. Meghana shares the inspirational story of defying gender stereotypes and taking her family legacy forward with complete dedication

The extra-ordinary dream

“Either do something different or don’t do it,” believes Meghana Mahendra Sakpal, the only female firefighter in the 75-year-old Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) Fire Brigade. She is the first female firefighter of Pune. Meghana says, “I have been raised in the family of firefighters and have always been fascinated by the brave men and women who risked their lives to save others. My grandfather served as a fireman for 34 years, and my father has been working in the same profession for the past 17 years; now I’m taking this legacy forward”.

Training days

Despite the long-standing tradition of firefighting in her family, Meghana recalled the ups and downs she faced during the three months of training that she underwent for the first time, which was later suspended due to Covid pandemic. She says, “I am grateful for the support I have received from my father since childhood. Before joining the fire brigade team, I was physically unfit. I failed every time I tried. I faced a lot of problems while exercising.

However, I got the opportunity to overcome these challenges during the Covid pandemic break. My father took on the responsibility of training me and made me fit for the physical fitness test. I used to run five rounds of Parvati hill and Talajai hill, up and down in an hour every day. I also incorporated swimming into my routine to improve my physical fitness. I did this all with my father's support”.

Sakpal underwent three months of basic yet rigorous firefighting training in Mumbai. She began her training with 29 other candidates. Out of 30 candidates, two discontinued training due to injuries. Further, in the final round, Meghana was selected for the Pune office, and five other girls were chosen for the Mumbai office. The remaining 22 girls, unfortunately, could not make it to the selection round and went back. Recalling her selection days, she says, “At the very beginning, I applied for this vacancy in the Mumbai Fire Brigade, but I failed to secure the position due to physical inadequacies. In that moment, I doubted myself and got depressed. However, my father always believed in my capabilities, which encouraged me to work harder and move forward. Soon I received another opportunity in Pune, and I made it as a firefighter in the fire brigade.”

"You are more capable than you think you are. You can achieve anything if you are focused and determined towards your goal. There will be no gender discrimination if we stop limiting ourselves to specific fields or goals"

-Meghana Sakpal

Childhood Dream

Meghana’s childhood was steeped in the tales of her father and grandfather's heroic rescues from the deadliest situations. Since the beginning, she understood that she has to have both physical and mental strength for her journey as a firefighter. She says, “From a young age, I have seen my father and grandfather saving people from dangerous environments. I knew that I would have to confront similar situations, and as a girl I needed to adapt to those circumstances. Thus, my mental fitness training began in my early days.”

The 26-year-old firefighter had to pass several examinations, including the Maharashtra Fire Service Academy (MFSA), a written exam, a medical examination, and a physical fitness test, to secure this position. She resides with her family, including her father, a younger brother, her grandfather and her grandmother.

Meghana’s hard work to pursue her dreams is evident in her perseverance. She says, “My journey was not at all easy. After passing all the tests, the last round, the physical fitness test, was hard to pass, as it was the training for developing physical strength, agility and mental resilience. Also, there was no gender discrimination during the training. Everyone has the same punishments when they make mistakes.” She further adds, “I sustained multiple injuries, trainers scolded me a lot, I had several breakdowns, and yet I managed to bounce back by learning valuable lessons from my past mistakes.”

First day at work

After going through tough training, Meghana achieved the position of firefighter. Upon her joining, she mentions, “My first day at work was absolutely amazing. I got to see and learn several things there. I was assigned the task of reporting fire incidents or any other emergency calls received by the fire brigade”. “I felt like I am living the dream,” she says. It is just the beginning; I would like to work more than just being a firefighter. I want to climb the ranks and work at the officer level within the same profession”. Currently, she works in the general shift from 10:45 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Inspiration

The duty of a firefighter carries several risks, and individuals pursuing this career need a lot of courage. But it was not only courage that made her pursue this career. She draws inspiration from the children of army personnel who carry on their family legacies in the armed forces. She says, “I believe that gender should never be a barrier to pursuing your dreams”.

Today, Meghana stands proud as the sole female firefighter among 167 male colleagues. Her journey depicts not only personal achievement but also a breakthrough for gender equality in a field traditionally dominated by men. “I feel blessed that I am making my family proud by working in this male-dominated field,” she says.

A powerful message

Meghana has shared a powerful message with aspiring young women; she says, “Women should recognise their capabilities and make themselves free from societal limitations”. “You are more capable than you think you are. You can achieve anything if you are focused and determined towards your goal. There will be no gender discrimination if we stop limiting ourselves to specific fields or goals,” she added.