Attaining leadership positions within public service departments historically has not been the easiest road for women — much less for women of minority status — but Sylvia Goalen is working hard to change that.
Last year, Goalen, a native of Guatemala, became the first Hispanic woman to receive the rank of lieutenant within the Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services.
Goalen joined the fire department six years ago as a fire safety educator, a role which allowed her to stay in contact with the public after spending half her life as a social worker.
“I never thought I would get to this position, not because I doubted my abilities, but because it wasn’t ever a dream of mine to work for the fire department,” Goalen said. “But when the opportunity presented itself I saw that it could be a good way to continue serving the community and I decided to accept the challenge.”
Being bilingual in a county which, according to 2013 Census data, is 20 percent Hispanic has been a huge asset for Goalen.
“I see it as a big advantage, because it allows me to bring the message of safety directly to families where before there wasn’t access due to the language barrier or the mistrust that exists toward government agencies,” Goalen said.
Though her role as safety educator has not required Goalen to participate first hand in a fire rescue mission, the lieutenant has no doubt she has saved countless lives. In addition to regularly traveling to community centers to give educational talks about fire prevention and first aid, one of Goalen’s main jobs is to install smoke detectors in homes.
She said some Hispanic families do not realize that something as simple and inexpensive as a smoke detector could be the difference between life and death.
“She is a brilliant woman, she has earned her position,” said Tommy Rutledge, captain of Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services. “Her passion for the job plays a key role in this county with so much cultural diversity.”
Another of Goalen’s duties is completing inspections at construction sites, though in this capacity she said she has occasionally encountered prejudice for being a woman and Latina.
Goalen, 35, has been married for over a decade to a fireman. Although this job requires more hours than when she was working at the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services, she doesn’t let it adversely affect her family. Through her example, Goalen hopes that other women and minorities may become interested in working in institutions such as fire departments, where she believes there are good opportunities for everyone.
“Those of us who come from other countries have to see the quantity of opportunities there are here,” said Goalen, who emigrated with her parents from Guatemala as a young girl. “I always try to see the opportunities more than the problems.”
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