By Abigail VanSteinburg


EARLVILLE — Local volunteer firefighter Diane Bensley was honored Sunday, Aug. 30, for 50 years of dedicated service to her community.

Paul Rieben, a director of the Firefighters Association of the State of New York, presented Bensley with a 50-year service certificate. Bensley said she became the first active female member of the Earlville Fire Department in 1975, paving the way for future generations of women in the fire service.

During her service, Bensley held many positions. She served simultaneously in the fire department, fire company and ladies auxiliary, holding leadership roles as president and secretary for both the auxiliary and the company. Her service also included roles as a fire police officer, EMT and department photographer.

Reflecting on her early years, Bensley said serving as the first woman in the department was challenging. She balanced her volunteer duties with a full-time job and raising two children. Because her husband was also a volunteer firefighter, Bensley recalled the regular sacrifices they made, often having to decide which parent would respond to an emergency call and who would stay home.

Bensley also addressed recruitment and retention challenges facing volunteer departments across New York state. She said younger generations are increasingly hesitant to volunteer without compensation and that rigorous modern training requirements can discourage younger community members already juggling outside responsibilities.

Despite the obstacles, Bensley said putting others first made her service rewarding, knowing she was making her community a safer place.

“Sacrifice and honor were a large part of my service over the last 50 years,” Bensley said.

Bensley acknowledged that the stresses of the job affected her mental health during her service, as they can for many first responders. In her early years, she relied on a trained chaplain to process difficult calls. She stressed that talking openly about trauma rather than ignoring it is crucial for the fire service.

To protect the next generation of first responders, Bensley advocates for early mental health training that prepares new volunteers for what they may experience on the job and ensures resources are available when members ask for help.

More than 50 years after her historic start, Bensley continues to serve as an example for future generations of female firefighters.

(Abigail is Diane Bensley’s 14 year-old granddaughter)