Breaking barriers

Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) Assistant Commissioner Julian Lethaine Davis-Buckle continues to break barriers both locally and regionally, earning recognition for her leadership and commitment to advancing women’s empowerment.

As the highest-ranked female firefighter in Jamaica, she has been making waves in a traditionally male-dominated field.

Her dedication and impact were recently celebrated with prestigious awards, highlighting her contributions to gender equality and leadership development within emergency services.

March has been a memorable month for Davis-Buckle, who received back-to-back awards for her service. On March 7, she was honoured in Dominica at the inaugural Women in Service Retreat, hosted by the Institution of Fire Engineers Caribbean and South America (IFECASA) to commemorate International Women’s Day 2025. There, she earned an in-service award after completing 29 hours of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credits with the IFE.

Just days later, on March 19, she was recognised once again in Jamaica at the Women’s Day Forum, hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment, and Sport.

Reflecting on these achievements, Davis-Buckle shared her excitement and gratitude.

“These awards encourage my efforts to continue guiding and mentoring women toward empowerment in all areas,” she told The Gleaner.

I strive to lead by example. Leadership for me comes with my passion for service. Seeing the impact I had on the young people in Dominica was encouraging and made me want to do more and go even harder.”

CHAMPIONING WOMEN IN EMERGENCY SERVICES

During the IFECASA retreat in Dominica, Davis-Buckle delivered a powerful presentation on ‘The Career Woman – Concept, Reality, and Future’, focusing on the challenges and opportunities for women in male-dominated fields such as fire and emergency response.

As Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of Area Two – overseeing operations in Trelawny, St Ann, St Mary, and Portland – she plays a vital role in shaping policies and leadership strategies that uplift women within the Jamaica Fire Brigade.

A soon-to-be 30-year veteran, Davis-Buckle expressed how deeply meaningful it was to be recognised by her home country.

“I lead approximately 250 female firefighters, and for them to witness this recognition was even more special for me. Their support and encouragement confirmed that I am doing something right. I am inspired to continue my work,” she said.

In honour of her achievements, she was presented with the Trailblazer in Fire Service Leadership Award by the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment, and Sport. The ceremony, held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston, featured Professor Donna Hope, an expert in culture, gender, and society at the University of the West Indies, Mona, as the keynote speaker.

Davis-Buckle is optimistic about the progress women are making in leadership roles. “Statistics show that women are steadily moving up the leadership ladder, and I envision this trend continuing,” she noted.

Quoting former United States President Barack Obama, she emphasised that “Empowering women is not just the right thing to do, it is the smart thing to do.” She urged more women to embrace leadership roles and actively contribute to shaping their industries.

However, she also acknowledged the challenges that come with advancement.

“The task of constantly proving your worth can be mentally exhausting. Any failure is often attributed to your gender rather than human error. Meanwhile, a male counterpart making the same mistake might receive less scrutiny,” Davis-Buckle explained.

“Personally, I advocate for equity rather than equality. Women should be seen as complementary to mission success rather than competitors in the mission.”

A MILESTONE FOR GENDER EQUALITY

The IFECASA International Women’s Day 2025 Women in Service Retreat concluded on March 9 after three days of transformative discussions, professional development sessions, and cultural exchanges. The event brought together women from across the Caribbean serving in fire, risk, disaster, and emergency response fields.

President of the Commonwealth of Dominica, Sylvanie Burton, served as the keynote speaker. As the first female president and first head of state of indigenous descent in Dominica, she underscored the importance of recognising women’s contributions in emergency services.

“I commend the Institution of Fire Engineers for celebrating and empowering women across fire, emergency, and protective services throughout the Caribbean and South America,” President Burton said.

“One of the most prevalent issues women face in the workplace is the lack of recognition for their integral role in driving progress. Their service is essential and should never go unnoticed.”

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY: A MONTH-LONG CELEBRATION

International Women’s Day, observed annually on March 8, carried the theme ‘Accelerate Action’ in 2025, emphasising the urgency of gender equality initiatives.

In Jamaica, the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment, and Sport extended celebrations throughout the entire month of March.

Portfolio minister Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange acknowledged the strides made in enabling women to reach their full potential while emphasising that there is still more work to be done.

“You can tell a great deal about a country by the way it treats its women and children,” Minister Grange stated during a special post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House on March 4.

“The status they occupy in society is a strong indicator of whether a country is progressive or backward. As someone who has been a soldier in this battle for gender equality, I can attest to many successes in our long struggle.”

As a recognised leader and mentor, Julian Davis-Buckle stands as a testament to the power of dedication, resilience, and empowerment. Her journey continues to inspire women within and beyond emergency services, proving that barriers are meant to be broken.

andre.williams@gleanerjm.com