Geena S. Kile

On December 7, 1998 the City of Cumberland hired Geena S. Kile as its first female firefighter. Firefighter/EMT-B Kile is a 1995 graduate of Fort Hill High School.

Geena has represented the Fire Department as a speaker at Cumberland schools career days, including Northeast Elementary in 2007.

UPDATE: The following are excerpts appearing in an article from the August 20, 2017 edition of the Cumberland Times-News:

“Geena Kile, ‘the only female firefighter in the Cumberland Fire Department’s 111-year history,’ was promoted to the rank of lieutenant. Geena Kile, a 19-year veteran hired by retired Chief William Herbaugh, began her fire service as a volunteer with the Bedford Road Volunteer Fire Department. As a lieutenant in the Cumberland Fire Department, Kile serves as an engine company officer.
(She is quoted in the article as stating,) ‘The most challenging part of the job is that you never know what’s going to happen next so you have to always be prepared for whatever situation arises... being a firefighter takes a lot of belief in yourself that you can do it ... it takes courage and a sense of camaraderie to work as a team member, it also takes humility. Generally, you are helping people on the worst day of their life and you have to respect that... There are many qualified firefighters in our department and I am honored that I have been chosen for the promotion to the rank of lieutenant.’

In making the announcement Cumberland Fire Chief Donnie Dunn stated, ‘I am happy to be the fire chief to promote Geena, not necessarily because she is the first female officer on the Cumberland Fire Department but because she deserved the promotion... She has consistently taken classes to improve her firefighting and EMS knowledge and skills.’ Kile is a 1995 graduate of Fort Hill High School with a Bachelor of Science Degree from Frostburg State University. She is certified as a cardiac rescue technician, is a nationally-registered paramedic and serves as a fire and emergency medical services instructor with the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute and in the Cumberland Fire Department.”

Geena Kile retired in the fall of 2023.