Patty Kenneally Donovan is celebrating 40 years as a member of the Boston Fire Department last month. Kenneally Donovan is a South Boston resident, a wife, a mom, a coach, a volunteer, and just so happens to be the first female firefighter on the Boston Fire Department.
According to a social media post by Kenneally Donovan’s daughter, Aislinn Donovan, after nine weeks of training with 55 men, she became the first female firefighter in the City of Boston on October 31, 1984.
In addition to scaling a 6-story building, she handled water lines that pumped more than 80 pounds of pressure. Kenneally Donovan made her way through smoke-filled mazes and passed her written exam with “flying colors.” Starting her career as a firefighter at Engine 50 in Charlestown, she’s worked all over the city and most recently has become the first female fire investigator for the Boston Fire Department.
One Incredible Story of Dedication and Loyalty
Back in 2014, Lt. Edward Walsh and Firefighter Michael Kennedy died in a 9-alarm fire in Back Bay. Members of Local 718 – Boston Firefighters Union, went to the home of Walsh’s wife Kristen and asked if there was anything they could do for her or her three children. Kristen asked for her husband’s wedding band. Kenneally Donovan found that ring.