For Krystal Roberts, firefighting was never part of the plan. Her early career was rooted in aquatics, working as a lifeguard, swim instructor and pool operator. Everything changed in 2005 when a female firefighter approached her at a Black History Swim Meet and mentioned that the department was hiring.
At the time, Roberts was a single mother to a 2-year-old and dismissed the idea immediately. Running into burning buildings felt unrealistic and unsafe. But the firefighter challenged her perspective, pointing out that Roberts was already risking her life to save others as a lifeguard. When she learned about the 24-hours-on, 72-hours-off schedule and the opportunity to spend more time with her daughter, the idea began to take hold.
“The balance, benefits and purpose drew me in,” Roberts says. That same sense of service has kept her passionate for nearly two decades.
Growing through service and leadership
Over the years, Roberts has worn many hats within the DC Fire and EMS Department. She has served as an adjunct instructor, CPAT instructor, recruitment team member, technician and participant in the Empowering Women to Lead program. Today, she holds the role of fire inspector.
Each position, she says, has allowed her to give back and help others grow. “Helping people has always been my driving force,” Roberts explains. Her career has evolved, but her purpose has remained the same.
Training for moments that matter most
Safety is everything in a truck company, where responsibilities include search, rescue, ventilation and ensuring access and egress during emergencies. Ladders, Roberts explains, are lifelines.
As a lead technician, she ensures her crew can safely raise and operate a 24-foot Duo Safety ladder, which weighs about 72 pounds. When combined with full protective gear, firefighters manage close to 150 pounds during training and real emergencies.
“We train like lives depend on it,” she says. “Because ultimately, they do.” Ladder drills build muscle memory, coordination and confidence, all essential when protecting civilians and fellow firefighters.
Balancing motherhood and the firehouse
The schedule offers valuable family time, but it also presents challenges. As a mother of three, Roberts says balancing 24-hour shifts requires a village. With no true 24-hour childcare options, she has relied on family, friends and her firehouse family, where shift trades and mutual support are the norm.
There were periods of little to no sleep, especially during her breastfeeding years, but she credits the department for offering parental leave, lactation rooms and flexible accommodations. “Being a firefighter mom isn’t simple,” she says, “but it’s taught my kids resilience and the power of teamwork.”
Raising future leaders and everyday heroes
Roberts is the mother of a 22-year-old daughter and two sons, ages 13 and 6. Her daughter has witnessed her entire journey, from academy days to career milestones, and now hopes to become a firefighter herself.
“She’s seen the sacrifices and the triumphs,” Roberts says. “That tells me she truly sees me as a role model.” Her sons, who have only ever known this career, proudly watch her visit schools in uniform and talk about fire safety. Her youngest calls her his hero, a title she treasures most.
Redefining strength and leadership in the fire service
Being a woman in the fire service, Roberts says, often means proving strength both physically and mentally. Early in her career, that pressure motivated her to grow into a confident, capable leader.
Through teaching and mentorship, she helps newer firefighters, especially women, understand that there is no single right way to do the job. Men and women often rely on different techniques, whether using upper-body strength or balance and lower-body leverage. Roberts focuses on teaching adaptability so women can thrive, not just survive.
“Leadership means lifting others up,” she says. “And showing them what’s possible, no matter who doubts them.”
When the job becomes physically or emotionally heavy, Roberts turns to the gym. Exercise keeps her strong for the demands of firefighting and provides a mental reset. She also prioritizes therapy, recognizing that the emotional weight of the job can spill into everyday life.
Mental health, she says, is just as vital as physical strength. Peer support teams, meditation and open conversations help her stay grounded and present for both her family and her crew. “Having space to process matters,” she explains.
Advice for women considering the fire service
Roberts encourages women, especially single mothers, to seriously consider a career in firefighting. While demanding, it offers stability, growth and purpose. The profession allowed her to buy her first home at a young age, build financial security and spend meaningful time with her children.
She emphasizes the importance of building strong support systems and being mentally prepared for the realities of the job. PTSD and burnout are real, she says, but with resilience and healthy coping strategies, the career can be deeply rewarding.
“If you’re driven and passionate, this career can open endless doors,” Roberts says. After 17 years of service and with retirement on the horizon, she reflects with pride. “It’s been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”
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