TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taichung’s fire department said its promotion of several local female firefighters demonstrates its commitment to diversity and makes the department stronger.

The fire department said in a statement on Wednesday that it appointed 13 new squad leaders and made 10 promotions, per CNA. These included three female firefighters who were promoted to captain and team leader positions in search and rescue, disaster relief, and general firefighting squads.

The promotions include Huang Shih-han (黃詩涵), who became the first female team leader of an inner city Taichung firefighting team. The department said firefighting used to be dominated by men, though women have increasingly shown strong professional and leadership skills.

The department said the promotions “inject diverse strengths” and demonstrate the progression of gender equality in the workforce. It said all the promotions were decided by the candidates' experience, leadership capabilities, and their ability to protect the public.

Taichung Fire Department Chief Sun Fu-yu (孫福佑) encouraged all promoted firefighters. He said he hopes the team leaders help crews provide further improved services to the people of Taichung.

According to the interior ministry, around 12% of Taiwan’s 16,448 firefighters were female in 2021. Regulations were changed in 2006 to reduce barriers for women firefighters by creating new exam standards.