Going into 2018 the Hawthorne Fire Department has made history; in 101 years as a department, in 2018 it now has its first female officer.

Lt. Rebecca Morton has been on the fire department since May of 2013  when she joined Fire Company 2 when she wanted to challenge herself. Lt Morton works at Capital One bank  in Ridgewood, and is also a Hawthorne High School graduate.

Originally, 1st Lt. Travis Lodder asked Morton to come around the firehouse to see if she would like it: Morton ended up showing a lot of interest and eventually joined the fire department.

Now as a Lieutenant, Morton has to lead a group of firefighters into fires and all other calls they may help people with.