Compiled and written by David R. Schleper, 2024

Veronica Leigh Giese (called Vern) was born in Carver, Minnesota.

Ever since the Shakopee Fire Department started in 1883, after fires in the 1870s destroyed many homes and businesses, all the firefighters were men. There had never been a woman among their ranks until 2004. And then, Veronica Leigh Giese became the first!

In 2004, Vern Giese was not new to firefighting. She was a member of the Carver Fire Department from 1999 until 2002. While living in Shakopee, she was a full-time paramedic for Ridgeview Medical Center in Waconia. In the Shakopee Valley News on June 24, 2004, Vern Giese and Pam Enrich were not the first who was considered for a position in the Shakopee Fire Department. In fall 1997, Mary Jane Buland was considered, but she relocated shortly after when her husband had a job transfer. Pam Enrich was unable to meet all the requirements to become a firefighter, and so Veronica Giese became the first woman firefighter in Shakopee in 2004.

Vern became the first of many other women to join the department. According to the Shakopee Valley News in August 2004, called “A first for city, she just wants to be a firefighter” by John Mueller, other area communities—Chanhassen, Jordan, New Market, Eden Prairie, Savage, and Prior Lake—have employed or currently have women firefighters among the ranks, according to Marty Glynn. And finally, in 2004, Veronica became the first in Shakopee.

Vern Giese was a native of Carver, a small town across the Minnesota River just outside Chaska. “Working among men is nothing new. She has worked in construction trade as a painter as well as in emergency medical-response situations. Her skills as a paramedic for the Carver Fire Department were more frequently tested than her ability to put out fires.”

According to the Shakopee Valley News in August 2004, Vern’s mother, Monica, was not surprised when her youngest daughter chose firefighting and paramedic work as a career path. Veronica Giese’s great uncle was John Abeln, a Shakopee firefighter who retired after 30 years in the business! “At first, we thought she was just attracted by the action. She’s always enjoyed helping people. Helping people has really become her thing,” said Monica Abeln Giese. Monica remembered that they always encouraged their three children to set their mind on a goal and work for it, regardless of what others may think or say. With that as a foundation, all three of her children have a strong will.

“As a child, Veronica brought home a kitten after her mom said she couldn’t. She also brought home rodents from school after her mom said no.” Monica noted that “she’s just real caring and kindhearted. If she can do something and there’s no reason she can’t, then she’s going to do the best she can at it. We taught all our kids to stand up for themselves. We always told them they could do whatever they wanted to do.”

“Giese sees herself as just another firefighter and she quietly shrugs off the notion that she’s a pioneer of any sort. Giese said that if she is some sort of role model, it’s for women and men interested in service to their community,” said John Mueller in the Shakopee Valley News.

According to Vern, “I’m not here because of the women’s movement. I’m here because I want to be a Shakopee firefighter.”

Female firefighters, like Vern Giese, are treated in the same regard as male counterparts—from taking the entrance exams, to the training in academy, right down to the firehouse. Unlike the military or other city agencies, there is not a different physical exam or academy requirements for women and men.

In the United States, 95.6% of firefighters are men, and 4.43% are women firefighters. Whether you’re a man or a woman — when you’re fighting fire… None of that matters. However, getting the job done is extremely physically taxing.

“It sounded easy, but it was really heavy. I was huffin’ and puffin,” said Veronica.

A group called Twin Cities Female Firefighter Fitness will now be regularly hosting expos and training for women interested in becoming a firefighter. Recruits have under seven minutes to complete a handful of physically demanding tasks, including dragging a 175-pound dummy and climbing five flights of stairs with a heavy hose bundle — and don’t forget the extra 60 to 80 pounds of gear while doing it, according to KSTP’s “Twin Cities Female Firefighter Fitness expo advocates for women firefighters.”

Veronica Vern Leigh Giese’s partner is Jacqueline Maria Paul, and they live in Minneapolis.

After five years of service, Veronica Giese, the first, and in 2009, the only, woman to answer a fire call in the history of the Shakopee Fire Department, who was an on-call firefighter since August 2004, resigned on Sept. 13, 2009, according to the Shakopee Valley News, Oct. 15, 2009. She ended up working as a police officer and paramedic for Woodbury Police Department.

Veronica (Vern) has been in law enforcement since 2008 and currently works as a police officer-paramedic for the City of Woodbury Police Department, which is located east of the state capital of St. Paul, Minnesota.

She is a certified firearms instructor. Vern is also certified in high angle rappelling, confined space rescue, and holds SCUBA certification. Vern has participated on a concept team assembled to research and design concealment holsters and clothing for women for a major law enforcement equipment manufacturer. Prior to becoming a law enforcement officer, she worked as an EMT-Paramedic for a full-time advanced life support ambulance for a west metro ambulance service. Vern has been a nationally registered EMT since 1999. She holds state firefighter I and II and HAZMAT technician certifications as the first female, paid on-call, firefighter for the Shakopee Fire Department.

Vern’s dedication is displayed both in her profession and her personal life. During her time off she enjoys spending time with family, biking, and the outdoors.