3rd Female Firefighter Joins Chatham Fire Department

CHATHAM, NJ — The Chatham Township Volunteer Fire Department officially swore in its third fully certified female firefighter.

Suzanna Semerjian was sworn in last week as the newest member of the Chatham Township Volunteer Fire Department. She now joins Lina Sriji and Olivia Bary as the third fully certified female member of the local department.

“I’m honored to be working with all of these great people and have this amazing opportunity toconnect with the community,” Semerjian said after being sworn in. “Firefighting is something Inever thought I’d find myself doing, but I’m so happy I am. What started as a simple volunteeropportunity ended up being so much more, and I’m grateful to all the members who supportedme as I grew and learned about the job.”

Semerjian joined the CTVFD junior firefighters program in April 2021 while attending Chatham High School. In the summer of 2022, she received her Fire 1 certification from the Morris County Fire Academy.

According to officials, Semerjian is currently a student at the University of Toronto, where she is pursuing a double degree in human biology and psychology.

“It’s exciting and encouraging to see Suzanna sworn in as our newest member,” said Chatham Township Volunteer Fire Department Chief Matthew Chase. “Her decision to volunteer as a firefighter reflects her commitment to serve and protect our community. We applaud Suzanna for her achievement and wanting to save lives and provide support to others during the scariest of situations."

The department, which was founded in 1925, is entirely made up of volunteer personnel, including 25 current firefighters, junior firefighters and associate members who provide services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

The fire department has its headquarters on River Road and a second station on Southern Boulevard, and it answers about 300 calls each year, both within Chatham Township and as mutual aid to departments in adjacent areas.