For Jackie Lilley-McCammon each step of her career in the Bethlehem Fire Department has been a groundbreaking one. Her most recent came July 3 as she was promoted from captain to assistant chief, taking one more step up the trailblazing career path that she has followed since she was hired as Bethlehem's first female firefighter in May 1988.

Lilley-McCammon joins three existing assistant chiefs, replacing Ken Jones who retired June 1. Her new rank is the highest possible that can be achieved through civil service in the Bethlehem Fire Department.

The 48-year-old Lilley-McCammon was sworn in by Mayor John Callahan, who called her "much deserving of the promotion." Not only is she Bethlehem's first female firefighter, but she is one of only 3.7 percent of female firefighters in the United States, according to Callahan.

Lilley-McCammon, who became a lieutenant in March 2006 and captain in March 2010, said that she's been striving for this promotion her entire career.

"I'm very excited to have been given this opportunity," said Lilley-McCammon, who sees the opportunity to make her assigned platoon run even more efficiently and effectively.

Lilley-McCammon also sees herself blazing a trail in the firefighting field for women.

"I hope I am a role model for other women," she said. "I hope that I inspire kids, mainly the girls, that they can grow up and do whatever they put their minds to."

Fire Chief George Barkanic, whose own daughter Mary Alice Maquire is a recently hired firefighter in the Bethlehem Fire Department, called Lilley-McCammon's promotion a big accomplishment.

"She's done all of the jobs and come up through the ranks," Barkanic said.

Lilley-McCammon's husband Marvin McCammon also attended and pinned the assistant chief's badge on the lapel of his wife's uniform.

Callahan also presented her with an Executive Fire Officer Certification, which Lilley-McCammon earned through masters degree-level coursework from the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Md.