Pioneer Female IL Firefighter Set to Retire

May 28 -- The first female firefighter hired by Jacksonville Fire Department is set to retire next month after 27 years with the department.

Capt. Beth Kershaw will retire June 13.

She spent two years as an administrative assistant before becoming a firefighter in September 1992 after attending the fire academy while working in the department, she said.

Kershaw will retire as a captain, a position to which she was promoted 10 years ago.

Fire Capt. Doug Sills said he has known Kershaw for at least 40 years, because they went to school together.

“We’ll be losing a member of our family,” Sills said. “We are very proud of her, but it’s bittersweet that she’s leaving us.”

While a member of the Jacksonville department, Sills said she has worked with other departments, including helping other departments create training courses for their members.

“She’s been a role model in the region, especially for females attempting to get into the fire service,” Sills said. “She’s been very involved.”

In addition to working with the fire department, Kershaw also is a member of the Morgan County Dive team, in which she’ll continue to participate after her retirement, she said.

Sills said she’ll be missed within the department.

“She was very active in emergency service, even outside the department,” Sills said. “We are losing a lot of experience. We wish the best for her in her future endeavors.”

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