Angela Cook Becomes Highest Ranking Woman In Denver Fire Department History

History was made Monday when Angela Cook became the highest-ranking woman in the 133-year history of the Denver Fire Department. The AP reports:

Angela R. Cook's promotion Monday means she will be in charge of a staff of almost 100 people who oversee emergency services at Denver International Airport. Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper said during Cook's swearing-in ceremony that she was promoted because she's a firefighter who "knows her job inside and out and just happens to be a woman."

Denver hired its first female firefighter in 1985 and Cook joined the department in 1992. Cook was also the first woman to be promoted to assistant chief in 2007.

According to 9news, "Cook joined the Denver Fire Department in 1992 and received the Equity Excellence Award for promoting diversity in 1998. She also is a national speaker and instructor on incident management systems, strategy and tactics, as well as career development, according to the Denver Fire Department."