Published February 21 2018
Today the Bellevue Fire Department family announced the passing of one of its beloved members and a fire service pioneer, retired Captain Jeanette Woldseth. Woldseth, the first career female firefighter in Washington state, succumbed to cancer and passed away the afternoon of Feb. 19. She was 64.
“Captain Woldseth was truly a ground-breaker, not only in the Bellevue Fire Department, but within the larger firefighter community,” said Bellevue Interim Fire Chief Todd Dickerboom. “She paved the way for so many women who came after her. We’re all deeply saddened by this loss. Jeanette was a very talented, wonderful person.”
Woldseth came from a long line of firefighters in her family. Her grandfather served with the Seattle Fire Department from 1913-1946, retiring as a captain. Her father was a volunteer captain with the Bellevue Fire Department having served for twenty-five years; first with King County Fire District #14, then with the City of Bellevue.
Upon joining, she proved herself well up to the task. Woldseth served from 1975-1977 as a volunteer for the department. Then, when the call came to test for career status she jumped right in.
“We had to drag a charged 100 foot section of two-and-a-half hose 100 feet,” said Bellevue Paramedic Denny Rask who tested alongside her. “Male or female it was a tail kicker.She went first and passed without a problem. Her ability as a Bellevue firefighter was never in question.”
Not everyone was delighted to see the gender boundaries crossed. According to retired Fire Chief Ken McAllister, it was the firefighter’s wives who had the greatest objections.
“Dan Sterling and I went to Station No.3 to meet with the wives as Jeanette was going through drill school and people wondered about accommodations,” he recalled. “A few of the wives gave us an ultimatum; if Jeanette was assigned to the same shift and station as their husband, then their husband was not going to be allowed to come to work!”
But space was made for her and it was room enough to run. Hired on Jan.3, 1977 she became the Washington state’s first female career firefighter. She was promoted to lieutenant Jan. 1, 1981 and she continued her climb through the ranks. Woldseth was promoted to the rank of captain on Oct.1, 1985.
She was also very active with the firefighter’s
That pioneering spirit served her well as she never wavered from raising an opposing point of view if she felt strongly about something. Ansell credits her strength in that regard during union negotiations.
“It kept our union sharp and less inclined to fall into a dangerous ‘group think’ mentality,” said Ansell. “Jeanette loved the fire service, the Bellevue Fire Department and IAFF Local #1604.She expressed that love through her tireless actions in support of all three.”
Woldseth retired as a captain on July 27, 2002.She was first diagnosed with cancer in 2010. It was stage II breast cancer and she underwent treatment for two years. One year after completeing treatment, in 2013, the cancer came back. It was uncureable this time; stage IV metastatic breast cancer.
For four years Woldseth was a driving force against the disease. She began to raise money as part of Obliteride. Obliteride is a biking event that occurs each year over an entire weekend and all the proceeds go to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.
Jeanette was loved by many. Her service to the City of Bellevue and its residents was remarkable and her legacy in the fire service will last for decades.
A celebration of her life is being planned for later this spring. Details will be announced at a later time.