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Tag: Ladies in White

  • Documentary on early Citrus Heights fire-fighting volunteers viewable free online

    Ladies in White, Citrus Heights Fire Dept.
    A photo from the mid-1960’s showing three members of the Ladies in White on the right, in front of the Citrus Heights Fire Department. // Image credit: Sacramento Metro Fire District

    By Rylie Friesen-
    With limited entertainment options available amid COVID-19 shutdowns, those looking for something to watch may find a documentary on the history of Citrus Heights’ female firefighting and medic volunteers of interest.

    Local women stepped up to fill a need from the 1950s to 1980s. Known as the “Ladies in White” or “Angels in White” for their white overalls and feminine touch, these women served as the pioneering first responders of the area, before Sacramento County began paying emergency medical responders.

    The film, called “Ladies to the Rescue,” features interviews with former Ladies in White and also touches on the “Ladies Auxiliary,” a team of female firefighters formed in 1942 after many men left for military service during World War II.

    “They were doing what needed to be done because their husbands were not available,” Public Historian Debbie Poulsen said in the documentary. “They were not turning down any type of fire that needed to be fought.”

    For over 30 years, these women were trained to help the community by fighting fires, helping children, and saving people from car wrecks.

    “I am so glad I did it,” said Marsha Bichel, a former member of the Ladies in White. “It gives you a feeling of worth. I felt positive going in and learning. I felt like I could take care of my own kids better, with the training. I felt I was doing something for my community, and that’s important.”

    The since-disbanded Citrus Heights History and Arts Commission first released the commemorative documentary in 2016, seeking to preserve a piece of history and show a glimpse of what it was like to be a Lady in White. The video premiered on PBS KVIE the following year and is available to watch free online.

    To see the documentary on the PBS website, visit here.

  • Citrus Heights ‘Ladies to the Rescue’ movie to premiere at community center

    Citrus Heights ‘Ladies to the Rescue’ movie to premiere at community center

    Ladies in White, Citrus Heights Fire Dept.
    A photo from the mid-1960’s showing three members of the Ladies in White (right) at the old Citrus Heights Fire Department building, near San Juan High School. // Image credit: Desimone Collection, Sacramento Metro Fire District

    They were everyday local women who stepped up to fill a need from the 1950s to 1980s. Known as the “Ladies in White” or “Angels in White” for their white overalls and feminine touch, these women served as the pioneering first responders of the area, before Sacramento County began paying emergency medical responders.

    Now, nearly 70 years after the first ladies took to the streets, the Citrus Heights History and Arts Commission has produced a commemorative documentary, seeking to preserve a piece of history and show a glimpse of what it was like to be a Lady in White. The video is set to premiere during a one-hour event at the Citrus Heights community center on Oct. 20, at 7 p.m.

    According to a news release about the documentary, the film features interviews with former Ladies in White and also touches on the “Ladies Auxiliary,” a team of female firefighters formed in 1942 after many men left for military service during World War II.

    The Ladies were based out of the central Citrus Heights fire station near San Juan High School, but to shorten response times, many responded directly from their homes. They also provided their own medical kits and drove their own cars — with the exception of “Rescue One,” a 1953 Pontiac purchased by the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors for $2100 and donated to the fire district.

    According to a small booklet produced by the History and Arts Commission about the Ladies, the all-female volunteer team responded to an average of 550 calls per year, while raising families and working full-time jobs. Their tasks included delivering babies, splinting compound fractures, and resuscitating those who had stopped breathing.

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    One Lady in White reportedly would respond to emergency calls in a white Volkswagen Beetle, sometimes with two of her young children in the back seat while she attended to the injured. A cardboard sign on her car’s dashboard let police and fire officials know she was there serving “in an official capacity.”

    Tickets for the documentary are $10 and can be purchased at the door, or at city hall during normal business hours. They can also be purchased online by searching for “Ladies to the Rescue” at eventbrite.com. Organizers say popcorn, snacks, and drinks will be provided.
    ——————
    If you plan to go:

    ‘Ladies To The Rescue’ movie premiere

    When: 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016

    Where: Citrus Heights Community Center
    6300 Fountain Square Dr., Citrus Heights

    Those seeking more information are invited to contact Haley Reid at (916) 727-4732, or hreid@citrusheights.net.