WORCESTER, Mass. — According to Worcester firefighter Robin Melvin, firefighting is a very traditional job. Frequently, many follow the paths of their fathers and grandfathers in the male-dominated industry.

Melvin, though, didn’t have those influences. But when she was enrolled in a pre-medicine program, a friend suggested that she take the civil service test.

“I never really thought about it because I didn’t have that exposure,” Melvin said, adding that she took all three civil tests when an opening in the Worcester Fire Department became available.

And now, along with her team, Melvin is making Worcester history as a member of the first all-female engine crew.

On Memorial Day weekend, when there was a shortage at the Southbridge Street station, firefighters Gina Genatossio-Gauder, Melissa Mercadante and Melvin, who typically work at different stations, joined forces. This was the first time in 186 years that the City of Worcester had an all-female engine crew.

“I’ve been on for almost 21 years,” Melvin said. “We have a lot of great guys on the team, but we took a step back and were going, ‘Oh my gosh. It’s definitely all women today.’ It was really cool.”

Deputy Chief Martin Dyer said the “stars just aligned.”

“It was really neat to work with an all female crew,” Melvin said. “When we came on, there were just three of us in the class. Now there’s nine. As more and more women come on the job, this will hopefully happen more often.”

Melvin says the crew made an impact on the community as well.

“Everywhere we went that day, you’d see kids, especially little girls — they’d say, ‘Wow, mom, look, a female firefighter!’ Melvin said. “When they saw three of us get off together, the reaction was just totally different.”

Looking forward, Melvin hopes it becomes more common for women to join the force.

“A lot of kids, younger women, don’t realize that it’s even a career or a path for them,” Melvin said. “As it becomes more common, more people will take the test, more people will join the crew.”

Dyer says that this kind of representation is crucial to growing the profession.

“I would love for the younger generation to think about firefighting as a career,” Dyer said. “Their contribution to the fire department is invaluable. The more we diversify, the more women we have on the force, the stronger we are… Back in the day, this was thought to be a man’s job. There are plenty of women out there that have proven this is everyone’s job.”