TimesLIVE reports that Arlene Wehr has been fighting fires and gender discrimination since 1996 and she has now become the first female operations manager in Cape Town's fire and rescue service in more than 170 years.  

The position has not been held by a woman since 1845 when the service was first established.  "It's an achievement for me.  I would like this to be an inspiration for women in the service and inspire more women to join.  It's a very physical job, some join and subsequently leave," said Wehr.  Originally from Mitchells Plain, Wehr observed that having women incorporated into firefighting efforts was important because women brought expertise and skills to a job that was traditionally male-dominated.  Wehr, who also became the first female station officer and divisional commander in the service in 2004 and 2014 respectively, is now district head for District West.  Crucial fire stations such as Cape Town, Sea Point, Salt River, Epping, Brooklyn, Hout Bay, Constantia and Wynberg fall under her watch.  There are currently 121 women employed by the service, just shy of one in 10 against a male majority.

• Read the full original of Dan Meyer’s report on the appointment at TimesLIVE

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